Jebel Buhais Geology Park
The Buhais Geology Park Interpretive Centre celebrates the region’s unique geology. South-east of the city of Sharjah, the centre sits on the former seabed of the Al Madam Plain a region of geological significance that is home to marine fossils up to 65 million years old.
Journey back 93 million years through this unique, immersive geological experience
Hypsos partnered with Ralph Appelbaum Associates on the fit-out for the museum’s interior including design development, production, AV content, set-up and installation and wayfinding. From the wayfinding throughout the museum to the immersive theatre, we delivered the complete scope of work including transport, labor, local craftsman and all technical engineering.
To bring this project alive, many contractors were brought together, including Hopkins Architects, building contractors HardCo, leading museum exhibition design firm RAA and Hypsos. Our reputation for a detail-oriented project management process meant that the entire project, not just the interior fit-out, was overseen by the Hypsos project management team.
Interiors inspired by the region
Hopkin’s Architects used these prehistoric fossils as inspiration for the building’s design, which features an immersive theatre, exhibition space and panoramic views. Interactive displays help visitors learn more about the region’s rich geological history.
The theatre is the real highlight of the experience. A curved screen with 180° projection, synced lights and surround sound effects to immerse visitors in an audio-visual tour through 93 million years of history. After the movie is complete, this curved screen slides away to reveal the dramatic landscape and the Jebel Buhais mountains. This was completely custom build. To ensure the theatre's full functionality and quality, before delivery, we built an entire mock-up at the Hypsos warehouse in the Netherlands. All stakeholders were involved in the production and approval process enabling us to finetune the elements. We securely delivered them and rebuilt the whole construction on-site.
A bespoke main gallery
In the Main Gallery on bespoke, curved steel display tables, visitors can discover fossils, direct prints and handmade bronze elements. Interactive displays help people to learn in detail about the local mountains, sand dunes, excavations and tectonic history of this site. A 360° globe gives a complete overview of the area and scenery surrounding the museum.
