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NMA / Termitarium
Client
National Museum of Australia
Timeline
4 Weeks
Date
May 12, 2022
Exhibitions
Towering across Australia’s tropical north, termite mounds, or termitaria, stand as some of nature’s most remarkable architectural feats. The tallest of these structures, built by spinifex or cathedral termites, can rise above human height and are a striking presence in the Australian landscape.
The Outcome
Termitarium presents audiences with a stylised to-scale recreation of a termite mound, produced by Local Projects with designs by Artikel, incorporated in the open cross-section that draws viewers into the installation.
Here, at the rear of the termite mound, 7 hollowed cubbies containing backlit panels inlay the wooden framework. Each panel explores a specific function or feature of termite mound formations, such as airflow and temperature regulation, using informational text, photography or illustrative elements.
These visual elements were thoughtfully composed and then mounted onto rounded acrylic panes, which are embedded into the structure at varying depths to create visual interest and increase content engagement.
The hollowed cubbies are linked together by neon-lit channels that transition between glowing shades of red to blue, representing the heating and cooling systems designed by termites to thermoregulate their habitats.
One of the installation’s prominent graphics is an illustrated termite mound shown as a cross-sectioned diagram that features informative annotations and arrows detailing the structure’s air channels.
While often graphic, some illustrations, most notably the design depicting the various roles and types of termites, are subtly enhanced by a stippling effect.
The panel designs utilise a minimalistic colour palette of red, orange, black and beige, reflecting the rich soil of the Australian outback.
The Experience
Balancing clarity and curiosity, the graphics and layout were designed with accessibility and engagement in mind, aiming to support discovery-based learning.
This was achieved through the inclusion of intuitive visual cues that were employed to help visitors explore and understand the unexpected world of termite mounds.
The concise presentation of information, using clean sans-serif fonts and structured layouts, ensures that audiences can easily consume the scientific information presented. Moreover, the intrigue prompted by the designs’ inlaid panels, illustrations and lighting elements ensures that audiences are both engaged with the educational content and entertained by it.
Concerning the surrounding exhibition space, the inclusion of lighting in Termitarium cohesively situates the design within the visual experience of Great Southern Land. The lit channels of Termitarium align with the exhibition atmosphere, which frequently features LED screens and lighting throughout the space, ensuring a seamless viewing experience for audiences travelling through the various distinct areas of the gallery.
Conclusion
A standout feature within the Great Southern Land exhibition, Termitarium has proven popular with visitors of all ages. Artikel’s contribution supports the overall atmosphere of the gallery experience while fulfilling the project’s educational purpose by translating complex scientific content into compelling and accessible visual storytelling.
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