Cape Town's Iziko Planetarium to undergo digital upgrade
South Africa’s Iziko Museums – an agency of the government’s Department of Arts and Culture – is enhancing its planetarium in Cape Town with a R27m (US$2.2m, €2m, (£1.7m) digital upgrade.
The Iziko Planetarium, part of the Iziko South African Museum, will get the much-needed upgrade to its 30-year-old facility, which has welcomed more than two million visitors through its doors since opening.
The digital upgrade project will culminate in the addition of a brand-new fulldome immersive theatre facility, which is expected to be completed by early next year.
“Fulldome digital technology has become the norm for planetaria worldwide, with high-resolution multimedia image projection creating riveting immersive and multisensory experiences,” said an Iziko statement. “This innovative evolution – from analogue to full dome digital technology – will create a hub of creativity and learning for the general public, as well as provide unparalleled educational and eResearch benefits.”
The digitalisation of the planetarium comes as the result of a two-year fundraising campaign, which to date has raised R20.5m towards costs (US$1.6m, €1.5m, £1.3m). Partners involved in the scheme include South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST); National Research Foundation (NRF); National Lotteries Commission (NLC); University of Cape Town (UCT); University of the Western Cape (UWC); and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
“As part of the upgraded South African Museum, the new Iziko Planetarium will feature as one of the African Continent’s foremost centres of excellence for heritage, biodiversity and science,” said Rooksana Omar, CEO of Iziko. “This type of partnership, between museums, academia and government, illustrates the value, significance and impact of collaboration in creating synergies between generating knowledge and providing platforms of expression and innovation.”
Planetarium South Africa Science Centre Museum IzikoUS$16.4m planetarium development breaks ground in California
Philanthropist funds Israel planetarium development
Ecsite 2016: Use space to encourage future careers in STEM
Bell Museum of Natural History breaks ground on new facility with planetarium
Ohio planetarium gets NASA funding to develop free-to-share content for planetariums worldwide
Liberty Science Center donation to fund US's largest planetarium
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson