Artificial Intelligence Pavilion

Communicating the complex world of artificial intelligence to a broad public audience proved to be a key challenge. Many visitors have limited familiarity with the principles of AI, making it essential to bridge the knowledge gap through clear, relatable storytelling and hands-on experiences. The exhibition needed to counter common perceptions of AI as abstract or intimidating, instead presenting it as an approachable and human-centered technology.

The vision behind the “AI: Insights and Visions” exhibition was to offer the public an accessible, immersive introduction to the world of artificial intelligence, grounded in the idea that AI is fundamentally a human creation. By focusing on AI’s development, practical applications, and future potential, the project sought to inspire curiosity and understanding while positioning Heilbronn as a hub for innovation through the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI).

Sustainability characterizes the temporary AI Pavilion building designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm Sauerbruch Hutton. Prefabricated wooden elements allow for flexible assembly and reuse. Timber, as a renewable building material, not only creates a pleasant sense of space but also binds CO2 long-term and is recyclable. Inside, recycled materials are also used, including transparent materials that optimize natural light, further reducing energy consumption. This commitment to sustainability ensures the pavilion is both environmentally responsible and adaptable for future uses.

The central design concept of the exhibition is inspired by the name ‘Heilbronn’ itself: ‘The source of AI is human.’ It emphasizes AI’s role as a human helper. “This exhibition aims to demystify AI, using simple language and interactive experiences. If you were to ask the average person on the street about AI, chances are they lack a basic understanding of its principles. This highlights the challenge we face in bridging the knowledge gap for the general audience.” says Steven Schaeken, director of NorthernLight. The exhibition is divided into three parts and offers an introduction to AI’s past, its meteoric rise, and future initiatives in the city. A timeline has stories on the longstanding presence of digitization and AI. Visitors are encouraged to engage with AI technologies firsthand at interactive stations. Additionally, a future wall with round arch portals offers insights into the Innovation Park. Here, people can meet their ‘new neighbors’ of the IPAI campus. In the middle of the exhibition, the central seating sculpture literally brings humans into the center. Here you experience how different information from the exhibition is transformed into an ever-changing soundscape with the help of AI. The source, with its soundscape, sends out animated light waves to the light rings in the pavilion and brings the idea of the human-centered source to life.

The spatial exhibition design intentionally creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, moving away from the often cold and impersonal imagery typically associated with AI. “The idea of ‘The source of AI is human’ has been translated into concentric rings that form the basis of a consistent design language throughout the pavilion, which is friendly and light”, according to Maximilian Pecher, Lead Creative at NorthernLight. Felt, wood, recycled and transparent material in warm, light tones offer an unexpected take on the image of AI, creating a more human sense of space.

Design Team

Steven Schaeken (creative director)
Maximilian Pecher (lead creative)
Marta Saccocci

Collaborators

Sauerbruch Hutton (architecture)
Bruns (physical fabrication)
YIPP (digital fabrication)
SonicPicnic (digital fabrication)
Shosho (digital fabrication)

Photo Credits

Experimenta gGmbH

Open Date

April 2024