SERVICES
Ulwazi offers a comprehensive, integrated range of specialised consulting and management services covering the planning, construction and operations of interactive educational and tourism experiences:
Business Planning and Strategy
During the business planning stage, it is important to select exhibit themes, which may be chosen for their relevance to the local community or to issues of importance to society. This exhibit from the Singapore Science Centre relates to measuring lung function and is part of a suite of exhibits on the theme of health and disease. Other possible themes include water, agriculture, mining and the environment. Interactive exhibits may also be designed to focus on a particular branch of science or a specific culture.
Ulwazi can assist clients with planning to define and assess the feasibility of a proposed development. Planning may be undertaken at a conceptual level to create a master plan, or with increasing levels of detail to provide a strategic plan or a business plan. Elements of a plan may include:
- a situational analysis: assessing the context of a proposed development, identifying and consulting with stakeholders, confirming the need and opportunity, estimating the market, and developing an understanding the constraints and challenges.
- a capital plan: defining the proposed development, evaluating site options, undertaking property negotiations, formulating preliminary themes, developing architectural plans and sketches and estimating capital costs.
- an operating plan: proposing programmes, defining staffing needs, evaluating organisational options, estimating operating costs and revenues, and assessing risks.
- fund-raising: identifying potential sources of funds, defining a fund-raising strategy, developing fund-raising materials, seeking/securing funds.
Development Management
During construction, Ulwazi can offer to act as a development coordinator and/or project manager and/or contribute as a specialist member of a project team. Other members of the team may include an architect, interior designer, exhibit developer, quantity surveyor, engineer and various other specialisations.
Operational Management
In addition to operational planning, Ulwazi can also provide various levels of ongoing assistance during the implementation and operational stages, ranging from relatively arms-length roles (staff selection, monitoring, and review) to active participation in management under a management contract.
Planetariums and Digital Dome Theatres
A Sky-Skan Gaiasphere similar to that to be installed in Iziko Museums, Cape Town.
Ulwazi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sky-Skan Inc, a United States based manufacturer of Definiti® digital dome theatres, projectors and associated software, to represent the company in sub-Sahara Africa. The agreement brings to the sub-continent the latest in advanced digital technology and full dome experiences, including 3D systems, which enable the creation of visually spectacular shows that generate a much greater understanding of the relationships between objects - in space, under the ocean, inside the human body or within molecules. Shows may be customised and tailored to specific local and regional needs. Interact! engages students with hands-on activities. For more information, visit www.skyskan.com. A Sky-Skan Gaiasphere, similar to the adjacent, is to be installed in Iziko Museums, Cape Town.