CLIENT
The Storytelling Company
LOCATION
Lichthalle MAAG, Zurich, Switzerland
YEAR
2026
PROJECT TYPE
Immersive Experience
Scope
Technical design across audio, video and show control, including audio guide system and projection design
Services Provided
- →Technical direction and system design
- →Audio system design and audio guide strategy
- →Projection system design
- →Show control and media playback integration
- →On-site technical oversight and coordination
The Brief
Auditoria were engaged by The Storytelling Company to design and deliver the technical systems for Becoming Marilyn Monroe, an immersive exhibition marking what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th year.
The exhibition traces her life from Norma Jeane Mortenson through to the creation of Marilyn Monroe as a global figure, combining archival material, narrative storytelling and interactive elements.
Structured as a journey through multiple environments, the experience begins with a gallery space, moves through a central immersive film sequence, and concludes in a series of interactive areas inspired by film production, including a Foley studio in which visitors can perform and record their own Foley actions to Marilyn movies.
Auditoria’s role covered the overall technical design, including projection, audio and show control systems, through to delivery on site in collaboration with the integrator, Okula.
The Challenge
One of the early decisions centred on how visitors would experience the audio. The exhibition relies heavily on personal narrative, with much of the content drawn from Monroe’s own words.
A loudspeaker-based approach would have created a shared listening environment, but risked losing the intimacy of that voice. An audio guide system offered a more personal experience, but introduced other considerations around synchronisation, language and visitor flow.
The exhibition was also designed to operate in three languages, which were English, German and French, within the same space. This required a system that could maintain a unified timeline while allowing visitors to experience the content in their chosen language.
From a technical perspective, the project combined multiple environments, including a 360-degree projection space, interactive zones and a holographic sequence, all of which needed to operate as a coherent experience.
Our Approach
Auditoria worked closely with the client to develop an audio approach that supported the narrative intent of the exhibition. An audio guide system was selected, allowing Monroe’s voice to be presented directly to each visitor, creating a more personal connection to the material.
The system was designed around RF timecode synchronisation, ensuring that all visitors remained aligned with the show sequence regardless of language selection. This allowed English, German and French versions of the content to run in parallel.
The audio guide system was delivered in collaboration with Tonwelt, who worked on site alongside Auditoria to install, programme and commission the system.
Projection systems were designed across the exhibition, including a central immersive space with full wall and floor projection, supported by additional high-resolution surfaces to carry key narrative moments.
Show control and playback were integrated using media servers and DSP systems to manage content across the different spaces. Auditoria oversaw the implementation on site, working alongside Okula to ensure the systems were installed and commissioned in line with the design.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Audio guide system with approximately 300 devices
Tonwelt system with IR trigger points for location-based playback
Yamaha headphones
Show Control
Q-SYS DSP platform for system management
RF timecode synchronisation across all audio guides
Multi-zone content playback and synchronisation
Integrated control across projection, audio and interactive elements
AV & Infrastructure Design
Panasonic projection systems across multiple environments
Approximately 18 projectors including 360-degree and feature surfaces
Christie Pandora’s Box media servers for playback and control
The Results
Becoming Marilyn Monroe presents a layered exhibition that combines narrative, projection and interaction within a single experience.
The use of audio guides allows the story to be delivered in a direct and personal way, while the synchronised system ensures that all visitors remain aligned with the overall structure of the show.
The central immersive sequence provides a shared moment within the experience, supported by a series of smaller spaces that encourage visitors to explore different aspects of Monroe’s life and work.
The exhibition is currently running in Zurich and is designed to tour, with the technical systems providing a flexible foundation for future venues.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
The Storytelling Company
Our Team
Joe Callister – Technical Director
Venue
Lichthalle MAAG, Zurich
Set Build & AV Integration
Okula
Sound Design
Kling Klang Klong
Audio Guide System
Tonwelt
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