The brief – to refresh the Blue Water Black Magic exhibition (originally designed and delivered by Workshop e in 2009), providing visitors with even richer experiences that celebrate New Zealand’s domestic and international yacht racing history, legacy and current innovations.

We provided – spatial design | graphic design | content development | production & installation | delivery management

Blue Water Black Magic tells stories of innovative design, meticulous teamwork, outstanding leadership and international success of our sailing nation, honouring of the achievements of Sir Peter Blake and highlighting New Zealand’s America’s Cup journey.

We were responsible for the redesign, development and production of all aspects of the exhibition spaces. The update incorporated fresh design thinking, new materials, seamlessly integrated new and exciting interactive experiences, improved wayfinding and ‘fit for the future’ digital labels.

The experience was developed to appeal to a broad audience and cater to various modes of learning. It fosters curiosity, increases awareness of changing yachting technology and highlights the importance of our natural environment.

NZL32 (Black Magic) provides a commanding centrepiece around which visitors navigate up various levels, enhancing a multitude of key sight-lines to the contemporary, robust textures of the exhibition space.

The refreshed exhibition was developed with input and support from the New Zealand yachting community, including Emirates Team New Zealand, the Blake Trust and Sir Peter Blake’s family.