Revealing invisible natural cycles with virtual reality binoculars
Kew Gardens Carbon Garden binoculars
The complex networks and subtle nuances of the natural world often go unnoticed, almost invisible to the untrained eye. However, Zubr’s virtual reality binoculars are the perfect outdoor installation to peel back the layers and reveal the hidden, scientific processes happening all around us.
Installed in the new Carbon Garden, now open at Kew Gardens, our virtual reality collaboration with Palma Studio seeks to inspire visitors to reimagine our relationship with the natural world by highlighting the role plants play in tackling climate change.
Fusing tradition with technology, Zubr’s accessible VR binoculars offer visitors a chance to look below the surface and witness the power of nature firsthand.
Partners
This project was a collaborative effort between Zubr, Palma Studio, and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens. Zubr integrated immersive video content – expertly developed by Palma Studio – into our bespoke VR binoculars software, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.
I was not generally a big believer of VR, but the ZUBR binocular is just the best of both worlds, so I am now converted.
Zsolt Balogh, Director at PALMA Studio
I was not generally a big believer of VR, but the ZUBR binocular is just the best of both worlds, so I am now converted.
Zsolt Balogh, Director at PALMA Studio
Accessible and intuitive interpretation
Designed to prompt inquisitive exploration, Zubr’s binoculars are wheelchair-accessible and family friendly. With no need for instructions or complicated buttons, visitors just step up to the lenses to discover digital content seamlessly overlaid onto the real world environment.
The soft matte green finish of the binocular heads was carefully chosen to mimic the surrounding foliage, whilst the dark supporting frame fades into the garden’s natural shadows. Similar to a birdwatching hide, the hardware design offers peaceful, contemplative engagement; an unobtrusive method of incorporating digital interpretation into a natural, living landscape.
Revealing the unseen
Unlike traditional seaside binoculars that magnify distant views, Zubr’s AR/VR lenses challenge visitors to take a second look at the world around them. Through the lenses, visitors uncover the microcosmic cycles occurring within the garden and beyond – offering a fresh perspective on the hidden life of plants.
To guarantee visitors made the connection between the digital content and physical world, we fixed the rotation of the binoculars so that the lenses were always focussed on the Oak. A detailed site visit allowed us to finalise and calibrate the content on location, ensuring we had a precise alignment between the digital and real world views.
Showcasing science through technology
Zubr provided both the hardware and the custom software that runs the VR content. Collaborating seamlessly with Palma Studio, who developed the visual material, we integrated their content into our platform to create a smooth, high-quality experience. Early concept testing was done using Google Cardboard, followed by studio visits to fine-tune content and interaction.
The educational focus of the Carbon Garden is brought to life through storytelling and digital interpretation. Visitors are invited to view nature not only as a passive backdrop, but as an active agent in climate recovery. The looping content within the binoculars mirrors the cyclical processes of the environment, reinforcing the idea of balance and regeneration.
Combining technology with ecology, the installation offers a fresh way to connect with nature – accessible, engaging, and grounded in science.
Content by Palma studio
A climate reminder
The Turner’s Oak, a rare hybrid of English oak and holly oak, stands as a living symbol of resilience. Decades ago, visitors unknowingly compacted the soil around the tree, slowly suffocating its roots. Each individual step felt harmless, but collectively, their impact was profound.
Not only does this story offer a quiet reminder that small, everyday actions can shape the fate of the natural world, it serves as a metaphor for our power to reverse climate change if we all take small steps towards a greener future.
Using technology to illuminate the invisible, the Carbon Garden invites each visitor to become an advocate for change. It challenges us to look closer, think deeper, and take collective steps – this time, towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the planet we share.