bluebottle was engaged by the National Communication Museum (NCM) to enhance its dynamic exhibits exploring the evolution and impact of technology on society. Located in a former 1930s telephone exchange and designed by architects Carr, the museum is part of an emerging STEAM precinct in Hawthorn, Victoria. Its interactive displays cover a broad range of technological milestones, from Morse code and retro games to MSN Messenger and artificial intelligence.
bluebottle contributed to the museum’s lighting design, using Philips Dynalite and Pharos Controls to create a blend of energetic and refined lighting that highlights the technologies shaping our future. One of the standout features is the neon-lit Lone Phone exhibit, which showcases a single Telstra pay phone, enhanced with immersive lighting and sound. Visitors who pick up the receiver are in for a surprising experience, as the phone is ready to “spill secrets.”
The museum’s co-CEO, Anna Prenc, notes the rapid pace of technological advancement, saying, “In the time it’s taken for NCM to open, Chat GPT was developed, launched, and now has over 185 million users worldwide.”