The Blue Continent: Islands In the pacific

OUR ROLE

Building on our established working relationship with Casson Mann, Greenway Associates was the appointed Cost Consultant, supporting the delivery of their bold, story-driven design.

Jared Mensah, our lead on this project, says:

“This project was exciting and intriguingly complex. On the surface, it appeared to be a straightforward exhibition fit-out, but beneath that lay a number of design and procurement challenges that truly tested the project team’s adaptability.

One standout challenge was the Island—a dramatic scenic representation of Pacific island formations and plant life. After exploring several proposals, the design team selected a fabrication method and material that delivered an impressively realistic scenic experience for visitors.

The success of this element is thanks to the incredible creativity of designers at Casson Mann, John Pickford, and Donacio Cejas Acosta, and the exceptional craftsmanship of Mark Pyrah and his team at Codsteaks. Royce Prescott, a senior surveyor at Greenway Associates, played a vital role in managing the project’s cost through every design stage. I’m excited to visit the gallery soon, and to bring along my colleagues Daniel Reid and Naomi Reid—both proud citizens of the Continent.”

Photos: Casson Mann

Photos: Casson Mann

THE PROJECT

Casson Mann’s striking design for The Blue Continent: Islands in the Pacific at the Übersee Museum, Bremen, brings the vibrant world of the Pacific to life.

Founded in 1887, the museum’s collection focuses on natural history items from the South Pacific. The redesign shifts the narrative, placing Indigenous voices at the forefront and offering a non-Eurocentric perspective on the collection’s stories. Surrounding The Island, the gallery explores important themes such as migration, identity, colonialism, climate change, and the use of natural resources.

The design concept is also influenced by Pacific thinking: land and sea are viewed as a single entity, transforming the museum journey into an adventurous expedition on land and water. A digital waterfall of words washes over visitors, reenactments of erupting volcanoes demonstrate how islands and archipelagos are formed, and even surfing is possible in this exhibition! While balancing on the interactive surfboard, visitors learn more about the significance of the sport in pre-colonial culture. Even tattooing is possible, by holding one's arm under the projection of a modern tattoo gun.