Name of the Project
Iziko Planetarium digital upgrade project.

Location
Cape Town, in South Africa’s Western Cape province.

Client
Iziko Museums of South Africa.

Project Description
The project involves the major digital upgrade of the Iziko Planetarium, which will culminate in a state-of-the-art, digital full-dome immersive theatre facility.

In line with the digital revolution, the planetarium will migrate from analogue to full-dome digital technology, which has become the norm for planetariums worldwide. High-resolution multimedia image projection will create immersive and multisensory experiences that will transport audiences virtually.

A digital projection system will replace the current projector, audiovisual equipment and slide projectors, while the ‘star’ machine will be dismantled.

This will create a hub of creativity and learning for the general public, as well as provide unparalleled educational and eresearch benefits.

The full-dome eresearch capacity will make the rendering and visualisation of big data possible, providing a revolutionary tool for scientists in diverse fields to navigate through their data, especially large data sets, and interrogate them simultaneously. It will also contribute to developing skills to respond to local and global digital transformation challenges. Data visualisation and eresearch are the future of leading-edge research. By combining motion with three-dimensional visuals (effectively simulating four-dimensional technology), researchers can virtually fly through multidimensional visualisations, revealing a whole new avenue of exploration – from climate, earth and medical sciences, and planetary and solar system science to geology and oceanography, as well as molecular- and biochemistry, and even town planning.

Jobs to be Created
Not stated.

Value
R27-million.

Duration
The project is expected to be completed by early 2017.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Iziko Museums of South Africa, Melody Kleinsmith, tel +27 21 481 4861 or email mkleinsmith@iziko.org.za.