Virtual voyages of discovery

Scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute developed the content concept of the exhibition together with the municipality of Helgoland and the agency "studio klv". The Alfred Wegener Institute conducts research in the extreme habitats of the polar regions and oceans - from the atmosphere to the bottom of the seas. At the Helgoland and Sylt sites, scientists from the Institute research the North Sea and its coasts. The excellent scientific infrastructure on the islands is used by researchers worldwide and serves as a foundation for their projects.

In future, BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND will be operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute, supported by the municipality of Helgoland. However, all those involved still have a lot of work to do before this can happen: the planned exhibition will replace the Helgoland Aquarium on the same site, which had to be closed at the end of 2014 due to structural defects. Construction started with the demolition of the old building.

The exhibition concept is already in place.  The tour leads through four themes, starting in the area "The North Sea Emerges" with a surprise effect: visitors are transported to the time 8000 years ago and initially find themselves on dry land. In the "Discover underwater" area, an 80,000 litre aquarium shows the underwater world off Helgoland. One floor higher, the journey takes visitors to the "Research in the rocky mudflats" area. A light and film show simulates high and low tide and makes it possible to experience Helgoland's unique rocky mudflats. Visitors can also experiment for themselves at numerous interactive exhibits. Afterwards, the area "Recognising the Future" shows how research institutions are working together to find solutions to the problems of climate change. The exhibition language is Halunder, the island language, in addition to German and English.

Externally, the BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND will hardly be distinguishable from the old aquarium building, as it forms an architectural ensemble with the neighbouring research building - a listed heritage building. However, a new addition is a shimmering bluish glass building that closes the current gap of about 20 metres between the former aquarium and the research wing. This will also visually link the exhibition closely with the research activities. This new building complex will also be the new home of the Alfred Wegener Institute's student laboratory OPENSEA, which is currently still located in the Helgoland Oberland.

 "German marine and polar research has recently repeatedly demonstrated its outstanding importance, not least through the MOSAiC expedition and its participation in the discovery of the largest fish breeding area in Antarctica. BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND also pays tribute to these achievements and brings the fascination of the sea from the depths directly to the people. In future, the exhibition will make this unique habitat, which extends directly off our coasts, tangible for everyone. At the same time, it makes clear why we must protect it at all costs. Understanding the oceans also makes a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research will continue to work for their protection."

- Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research
"Look, touch, try - to understand how diverse and incredibly colourful the underwater world is in the rocky mudflats around Helgoland. Through the interactivity of the exhibition and the integration of the OPENSEA school laboratory, we enable the young generation in particular to gain an exciting insight into our past and present, inextricably linked to the major future issues of our time. As a state between two seas, Schleswig-Holstein is committed both to coastal research and to communicating the knowledge acquired there to the population. BLUEHOUSE will be a little jewel on this popular island, and we are pleased that it will now be realised with combined forces."

- Karin Prien, Minister for Education, Science and Culture of the State of Schleswig-Holstein: "We are convinced that with the BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND we will reach both day visitors and long-term guests in order to make Helgoland's water world with its unique rocky mudflats more tangible than at any other place on the island. But this project is also explicitly intended as an exhibition and meeting place for the residents of Helgoland."

- Jörg Singer, Mayor of Helgoland: "After more than ten years of preliminary work and planning, I am very pleased that construction work is now getting underway. Helgoland is the ideal location for BLUEHOUSE. We can look back on a very long tradition of research into the sea and the coast here. Since 1892, scientists from the Biological Institute Helgoland have gained many important insights into the North Sea and its coasts on the island. We are also telling this story in the new exhibition, and in doing so we are building a bridge to the future challenges of marine research." 
- Dr Karsten Wurr, Administrative Director at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

"The BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND is a project for Helgoland and far beyond. Because all of our lives are closely linked to the sea. It is not only a home for countless species, but also plays a central role in our climate system. At the same time, we still know far too little about this largest habitat on the planet. In our exhibition, we will soon be able to take people on an expedition into the world of marine research and show what it means when the sea changes right on our doorstep. In doing so, we'll also share our unique treasure trove of data showing how the North Sea has warmed over the past decades."

- Prof. Dr. Karen Helen Wiltshire, Deputy Director at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research and Head of the Institute's Helgoland and Sylt sites: "BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND will be much more than a classic exhibition. At this place of knowledge, we want to bring people into direct contact with research and be close and open to dialogue. Visitors will be able to get a vivid impression of marine science and, for example, control a virtual diving robot themselves. In selected Citizen Science projects, they can even slip into the role of scientists and thus contribute directly to gaining knowledge."

- Dr Eva-Maria Brodte, designated director of the BLUEHOUSE HELGOLAND at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research