Max Schweder

Zeitreise des Kakaos — Schokoladenmuseum Köln

XR Storytelling at the Schokoladenmuseum Cologne

What does the ancient journey of cacao look like when reimagined through virtual jungle landscapes and immersive projection mapping? That was the challenge when CYLVESTER Digital Arts Productions was brought on board by A1 PRODUCTDESIGN to help develop a large-scale XR installation as part of the newly redesigned Schokoladenmuseum Cologne.

This permanent installation now transports visitors to an excavation site in the Ecuadorian jungle, using digital storytelling and spatial design to ground them in both history and geography. The result? A virtual window into the roots of chocolate—told across three walls and a floor, with an experience meant to last for over a decade.

Schokoladenmuseum Cologne

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A Museum Reimagined

The project was part of a much larger overhaul of the museum, in which two entire floors were redesigned and rebuilt by A1 PRODUCTDESIGN. In the midst of that transformation, CYLVESTER was brought in not just as a technical service provider, but as a creative collaborator—consulting, prototyping, and ultimately creating the content for one of the most ambitious rooms in the exhibition.

This opportunity allowed for the complete rethinking of how such a space could function: not just as a passive exhibit, but as an immersive digital environment that tells a story spatially and emotionally.

The Setup: A Shoebox into the Jungle

The room itself has a “shoebox” layout—long and narrow, with three projection-mapped walls and a projection floor. Visitors stand in front of this scene, gaining a virtual perspective into a layered, digitally reconstructed jungle environment that hints at the real-world excavation site in Ecuador.

At the heart of the installation is the floor, which functions as a stylized model of an archaeological excavation site. This sculptural base was modeled in VR by Albrecht Hegge, one of the lead designers at A1 PRODUCTDESIGN and the mastermind behind the immersive concept. The physical structure was then produced via large-scale CNC milling, giving it tactile depth and a strong visual presence.

We used a hybrid projection technique that blends classic projection mapping with spatially-aware perspective projection, seamlessly integrating digital content with the physical floor relief. The result is a striking fusion of virtual and physical storytelling.

Despite the immersive atmosphere, the installation isn’t a literal replica. Due to stringent fire and safety regulations, certain creative compromises were necessary. But instead of limiting the vision, these constraints shaped a stylised, interpretative version of the site—blending realism and abstraction in a way that supports education, orientation, and aesthetic appeal.

Tools of the Trade

The production pipeline was multi-layered and evolved over the course of more than a year. Here’s a quick overview of the tech stack that powered the installation:

  • Unreal Engine – Provided the backbone for real-time visual content and overall scene management.
  • TouchDesigner – Enabled projection mapping, perspective warping, and final output control.
  • Cables.gl – Used to create a browser-ready VR-Simulation of the room and the animation, for direct communication with the client during the development process.
  • Blender – Used for 3D modeling.

Built to Last

This isn’t just a flashy temporary installation. The projection room is part of the permanent exhibition and is expected to remain in place for over 10 years. That long-term vision meant durability and maintainability had to be baked into every part of the design—both in terms of hardware choices and the software pipeline.

The final result is a space that feels both timeless and modern, blending cutting-edge technology with educational storytelling in a way that enhances the visitor experience without overwhelming it.

Credits