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Project overview
A different way into the climate conversation.
Working with the House of Solutions team on Governors Island, Overview developed a series of interactive experiences designed to make climate and sustainability issues more approachable to the public.
Rather than relying on panels and information displays alone, we explored how VR, AR, game mechanics and participatory storytelling could give visitors new ways into subjects ranging from local ecosystem restoration to New York City’s climate future.
The work formed part of the wider House of Solutions programme created by the Human Impacts Institute and Climate Reality Project, which brought together artists, researchers, activists and organizations around climate solutions throughout the 2019 season.
A CLIMATE FESTIVAL BUILT AROUND PARTICIPATION
The House of Solutions culminated around the Our Future Festival during Climate Week NYC, bringing workshops, talks, installations and participatory experiences together on Governors Island.
The festival was organized by the Human Impacts Institute and Climate Reality Project and was free and open to the public.
Our role was not to create one singular installation. We developed and brought together a range of experiences that invited visitors to encounter climate issues from different perspectives — through play, immersion, technology and local stories.
A different way into the climate conversation.
Working with the House of Solutions team on Governors Island, Overview developed a series of interactive experiences designed to make climate and sustainability issues more approachable to the public.
Rather than relying on panels and information displays alone, we explored how VR, AR, game mechanics and participatory storytelling could give visitors new ways into subjects ranging from local ecosystem restoration to New York City’s climate future.
The work formed part of the wider House of Solutions programme created by the Human Impacts Institute and Climate Reality Project, which brought together artists, researchers, activists and organizations around climate solutions throughout the 2019 season.
A CLIMATE FESTIVAL BUILT
AROUND PARTICIPATION
The House of Solutions culminated around the Our Future Festival during Climate Week NYC, bringing workshops, talks, installations and participatory experiences together on Governors Island.
The festival was organized by the Human Impacts Institute and Climate Reality Project and was free and open to the public.
Our role was not to create one singular installation. We developed and brought together a range of experiences that invited visitors to encounter climate issues from different perspectives — through play, immersion, technology and local stories.
Sunken City Escape Room
Could climate education feel more like an adventure than a lesson?
Working with escape-room studio Clue Chase, we produced and creatively directed Sunken City — a climate-themed escape experience that transported visitors to a flooded New York City in 2053.
Teams had roughly 20 minutes to work through puzzles inspired by real sustainability initiatives underway across New York, touching on areas such as solar energy, wind power, recycling and climate resilience.
The game ran on weekends during September and drew sold-out sessions during its limited Governors Island run.
Overview Collective was interviewed by award winning local show going in with brian vines and we go deeper into who we are and the programming at House of Solutions.
Could climate education feel more like an adventure than a lesson?
Working with escape-room studio Clue Chase, we produced and creatively directed Sunken City — a climate-themed escape experience that transported visitors to a flooded New York City in 2053.
Teams had roughly 20 minutes to work through puzzles inspired by real sustainability initiatives underway across New York, touching on areas such as solar energy, wind power, recycling and climate resilience.
The game ran on weekends during September and drew sold-out sessions during its limited Governors Island run.
Overview Collective was interviewed by award winning local show going in with brian vines and we go deeper into who we are and the programming at House of Solutions.
The game ran on weekends during September and drew sold-out sessions during its limited Governors Island run.
Overview Collective was interviewed by award winning local show going in with brian vines and we go deeper into who we are and the programming at House of Solutions.
HOUSE OF SOLUTIONS
EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMMING · CLIMATE ENGAGEMENT · GOVERNORS ISLAND, NYC
Sunken City Escape Room
Could climate education feel more like an adventure than a lesson?
Working with escape-room studio Clue Chase, we produced and creatively directed Sunken City — a climate-themed escape experience that transported visitors to a flooded New York City in 2053.
Teams had roughly 20 minutes to work through puzzles inspired by real sustainability initiatives underway across New York, touching on areas such as solar energy, wind power, recycling and climate resilience.
The game ran on weekends during September and drew sold-out sessions during its limited Governors Island run.
Overview Collective was interviewed by award winning local show going in with brian vines and we go deeper into who we are and the programming at House of Solutions.
Pearls of New York
Created with Billion Oyster Project, Pearls of New York placed viewers alongside staff and volunteers restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor — connecting marine conservation, education and green careers through immersive 360° storytelling.
Following its House of Solutions debut, the film went on to screenings at COP25, Sundance’s Impact House, Games for Change, BAM Kids Film Festival and EarthXR.
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Following its House of Solutions debut, the film went on to screenings at COP25, Sundance’s Impact House, Games for Change, BAM Kids Film Festival and EarthXR.
XR sandbox
House of Solutions also became a testing ground for emerging forms of climate storytelling.
The winning prototype from the first StoriesXFuture sprint was showcased at House of Solutions during the Our Future Festival. That programme had brought 60 participants together to create 10 XR prototypes exploring technology and climate action.
One of the showcased projects, Earth Songs, used augmented reality as part of that experimentation and was presented at the festival on Governors Island.
XR sandbox
House of Solutions also became a testing ground for emerging forms of climate storytelling.
The winning prototype from the first StoriesXFuture sprint was showcased at House of Solutions during the Our Future Festival. That programme had brought 60 participants together to create 10 XR prototypes exploring technology and climate action.
One of the showcased projects, Earth Songs, used augmented reality as part of that experimentation and was presented at the festival on Governors Island.
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Outcome
House of Solutions gave us an opportunity to test a simple idea: people don’t have to encounter serious subjects in serious formats.
Across an escape room, immersive film, AR prototypes and festival programming, climate issues became something visitors could solve, explore and experience rather than simply read about.
The programme also became an early expression of the approach Overview would continue developing in later work: combine storytelling, emerging technology and participation around complex subjects, then design the medium around the audience.
Project Credits
HOUSE OF SOLUTIONS
Human Impacts Institute + Climate Reality Project NYC
OVERVIEW COLLECTIVE
Creative Direction · Experience Design · Immersive Media · XR · Gamification
SUNKEN CITY
Produced / Creative Directed by Overview Collective
Developed in partnership with Clue Chase NYC
PEARLS OF NEW YORK
Created by Overview Collective in partnership with Billion Oyster Project
STORIES X FUTURE
Overview Collective + Garage Stories
See it in action
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