A Gateway to the Wadden Sea
The World Heritage Centre Wadden Sea in the harbor of Lauwersoog has opened its doors and will serve as the gateway to exploring one of the world’s most extraordinary tidal landscapes. Here, nature, science, and storytelling come together to deepen our connection with this remarkable ecosystem. NorthernLight designed the ‘We are the Wadden Sea’, a multi-sensory, interactive experience that brings the UNESCO World Heritage site to life. It aims to transform visitors into nature lovers, inspiring them to step outside and explore the beauty of the Wadden for themselves. Visitors dive into the unique ecology of the region, uncover its history and environmental challenges, and meet the beloved seals of Pieterburen — all while taking in panoramic views over the sea and the Lauwersmeer.
Atmospheric Storytelling
The Wadden Sea Experience consists of five zones, each designed to deepen the visitor’s understanding of this dynamic intertidal landscape. From the formation of the Wad to the impact of humans, and from tidal rhythms to ecological interdependence, every area invites exploration. The journey culminates in a walkthrough of the seal hospital, an intimate encounter with marine conservation in action. Multi-sensory and hands-on, the experience invites visitors to see, hear, and touch the essence of the Wadden Sea. Highlights include an interactive Wadden model table where visitors discover how the tidal flats were formed, and an immersive underwater journey alongside fish — hearing what they hear and experiencing their passage through sluices and pumping stations from a fish’s perspective. Inspired by the constantly shifting light and textures of the Wadden, the spatial design features a unique membrane of suspended ropes that filters light from outside in, creating a poetic transition between zones. This atmospheric storytelling is further enriched by the presence of the “Wadden Creatures”, seven fictional guides who each tell a different part of the Wadden story. From Pieter the Seal to Tibby the Shark and Tom the Diatom, these characters connect young and old alike to the diverse life that thrives in this fragile environment.
Design in Harmony with Nature
Sustainability is at the core of the WEC’s design. The striking building, designed by architects Dorte Mandrup, embodies sustainability both inside and out. From insulation made of recycled denim jeans to 3D-printed sea creatures crafted from hospital waste, the building tells its own circular story. The wooden sunshades once served as mooring posts in a German harbor, and the paving tiles outside are made entirely from plastic waste collected from the Wadden Sea. Inside, guests encounter organic materials, filtered light, and a design philosophy that invites discovery.
We are proud to have brought this experience to life in close collaboration with the team of the World Heritage Centre. Special thanks go out to Fiction Factory for production, YIPP for the interactive media, Ata Tach for the hardware, Shosho for the AV, and 50Lux for lighting design. It was a true team effort to shape a meaningful and immersive experience of the Wadden Sea. Photos by Ewoud Rooks, Niels Knelis, Tjeerd Visser and Stella Dekker. Render by Dorte Mandrup.
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