Shrinktopia

5 May

Welcome to Shrinktopia, a place where guests shrink down to micro size to experience the daily life of those animals we as humans tend to oversee: insects.

Shrinktopia is the result of our creative work. Situated between the Wetlands and Mountains of TerraTopia, the area simulates guests being shrunk down to micro size in order to explore the world of bugs and beetles. Right from the beginning Shrinktopia had to meet several requirements set by the team: the area needed to be fun and entertaining, but also raise awareness about serious issues such as pollution, preservation and endangered species. Finding the right balance surely was a challenge, but we quickly noticed that even small actions can greatly contribute to the eco system. And so, the tagline „small guests can make a big difference“ became our leading statement from an early stage on.

The area is designed to experience the daily life of insects how vital they are for our eco system. At the same time, we wanted to let guest experience how human actions can impact the life of insects and what we can do to help them in our everyday life. Shrinktopia resembles an ordinary EuroSanian garden of a lovely old couple called Maria and Marcus. The area is divided by river into a lush area in which the insects live and thrive and and a clean area full of concrete which has been recently transformed by Marcus for easy maintenance. This detail was a deliberate choice in the concept of Shrinktopia: a neat and perfectly trimmed garden might be appealing in the eyes of humans, but it’s quite unsuitable for insects, who rather prefer a lush and densely planted area. Shrinktopia also includes familiar items and objects such as popsicle sticks and food packaging and how insects have started to utilised them.

Shrinktopia is also home to Mara, an adventurous and curious girl who is friends with the insects. Mara and her loyal side-kick Roly-Poly can be met in the area for meet-and-greets throughout the day. In Mara’s Ways, a walkthrough attraction, guests can learn more about Mara’s life, her discoveries and how she became friends with the insects. Especially her close relationship with the bees next door offers guests another unique experience: In the Honey Plant, guests can learn about the daily life of bees and their honey production through interactive installations and even join an entertaining dance experience.

Shrinktopia has three F&B units: the largest one is Oude-Berto’s pizzeria, a classic sit-down restaurant which offers authentic Italian pizza dishes based Mara’s recipes. Gourd Grub is quick-service outlet with a large variety of plant-based and locally sourced dishes perfectly suited for on the go. And the Jitterbug is a small outdoor café spot with a generous selection of warm and cold drinks and pastries.

Two retails stores can be found as well: in Finder’s Keeper guests may purchase Mara’s up-cycled accessorises, whereas Under The Pot offers souvenirs from the main attraction of Shrinktopia: Mara’s Garden Rescue.

CONCEPT GALLERY:

Mara’s Ways: Hideout

A walkthrough attraction dedicated to Mara and her friends

Mara’s Ways: Honey Plant

Concept art of the building for the Honey Plant experience

Mara’s Ways: Honey Plant

Concept art of the multisensory and interactive experience “Dance like a bee”

Concept Overview

Early drawings of Shrinktopia’s overall structure

Lawnmower scene

Early drawings of the lawnmower scene in Mara’s Garden Rescue

Lawnmover scene

Detailed POV of the lawnmower scene in Mara’s Garden Rescue

Pesticides scene

Early drawings of the pesticides scene in Mara’s Garden Rescue

Pesticides scene

Detailed POV of the pesticides scene in Mara’s Garden Rescue

Final scene

Detailed POV of the final scene in Mara’s Garden Rescue

Shrinktopia: Dark Ride

Entrance to Mara’s Garden Rescue

Shrinktopia: F&B

Key visual of Oude-Berto’s Pizzeria

Shrinktopia: F&B

Final logo of Oude-Berto’s Pizzeria

Shrinktopia: F&B

Early concept drawing of the Jitterbug café

Shrinktopia: F&B

Coloured concept drawing of the Jitterbug café

Shrinktopia: F&B

Final logo of the Jitterbug café

Shrinktopia: Signage

Logo design of the stroller parking area

Shrinktopia: Signage

Logo design of the restrooms

Concept art

Different lighting examples for Shrinktopia

Shrinktopia: Playground

Concept of the playground

Mara’s Garden Rescue is a multi sensory experience designed for the whole family. In this ride guests are on a mission to save Shrinktopia: Marcus, the owner of the garden in which Shrinktopia exists, plans to continue transforming the garden into a neat and tidy area. However, he is unaware that this project is unwittingly harmful to the insects living there. It is now the guests turn to stop Marcus and make him realise that Shrinktopia is already beautiful and full of life the way it is. The plan: search and awaken the beautiful butterflies of Shrinktopia to catch Marcus’ attention. Led by Mara and Roly Poly, guests navigate through the garden on their quest to find the butterflies. But be aware: Marcus has already turned his plan into action. Lawn mowers, pesticides and cleaning efforts are disrupting the journey. Will the mission be successful?

Mara’s Garden Rescue is an exciting adventure with a meaningful message. A simple action that seems mundane to us may often lead to dramatic consequences. But luckily, a simple action can also achieve the opposite – and it is exactly that first-hand-experience guests witness during the ride. We can do better and it is more easy than we think. This is the essence and beauty of Mara’s Garden Rescue, but also of Shrinktopia as a whole.

Small gestures can make a big difference.

SCHEMATIC GALLERY

Masterplan

Architectural overview of Shrinktopia