the histotorium 

A place made for children

Møntergaarden, Museum of Odense 
2017

Møntergården, Museum of Odense 
2017

The Histotorium is a museum for children aged 4-11 that describes the history of Denmark from the Stone Age and onward. It is installed in an 18th century house across four levels and is designed on the children’s terms. The museum is constructed around a unifying narrative, namely that the visiting children are coming to investigate history to find evidence and clues. The children are led through the exhibitions six different time periods through ten different themed rooms by the three fictional characters the Historian, the Conservator and the Archaeologist, who have different approaches to the story. Data collected by Møntergården indicates that in the first year, the Histotorium increased its total number of visiting children aged 4-11 by approx. 80%

The Histotorium is a museum for children aged 4-11 that describes the history of Denmark from the Stone Age and onward. It is installed in an 18th century house across four levels and is designed on the children’s terms. The museum is constructed around a unifying narrative, namely that the visiting children are coming to investigate history to find evidence and clues. The children are led through the exhibitions six different time periods through ten different themed rooms by the three fictional characters the Historian, the Conservator and the Archaeologist, who have different approaches to the story. Data collected by Møntergården indicates that in the first year, the Histotorium increased its total number of visiting children aged 4-11 by approx. 80%

“We chose Torden og Lynild because they, with their combination of design and theatre backgrounds, looked to be able to bring something innovative and different to the project – and we were not disappointed. They were able to capture our complex dreams and ideas perfectly, pushing them forward in a creative and controlled concept development process, making them a reality with the aid of good subcontractors. They have consistently listened and been flexible, trustworthy, pleasant to spar and cooperate with, ready for action and down to earth. With delightful materials and a different design, we today have an exhibition that has had an overwhelmingly positive reception from children and adults.”

“We chose Torden og Lynild because they, with their combination of design and theatre backgrounds, looked to be able to bring something innovative and different to the project – and we were not disappointed. They were able to capture our complex dreams and ideas perfectly, pushing them forward in a creative and controlled concept development process, making them a reality with the aid of good subcontractors. They have consistently listened and been flexible, trustworthy, pleasant to spar and cooperate with, ready for action and down to earth. With delightful materials and a different design, we today have an exhibition that has had an overwhelmingly positive reception from children and adults.”

COOPERATING PARTNERS

COOPERATING PARTNERS

main contractor

main contractor

Torden & Lynild

Torden & Lynild

COOPERATING PARTNERS

COOPERATING PARTNERS

Chukster (graphic design)
Stouenborg (lightning design)
Kurtzweil (construction)
HK Design og Produktion (construction)
AV Centeret (hardware)
Alien Workshop (Software)
Lasse Bekker Weinreich, Maria Buchmann, Henrik Rehr (illustrations)

Chukster /graphic design)
Stouenborg (lightning design)
Kurtzweil (construction)
HK Design og Produktion (construction)
AV Centeret (hardware)
Alien Workshop (Software)
Lasse Bekker Weinreich, Maria Buchmann, Henrik Rehr (illustrations)

photos, website

photos, website

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes

The exhibition was built in a house from the 1800's with many small rooms. Among other things, we created a number of special “children's routes” through the rooms. For example, they could crawl out through the small slanted space from one room to the next.

The exhibition was built in a house from the 1800's with many small rooms. Among other things, we created a number of special “children's routes” through the rooms. For example, they could crawl out through the small slanted space from one room to the next.