Just in time for the opening of the new mixed-use destination "Happitat" in Bangkok on August 21, 2026, the German creative studio BoraBora Studios is unveiling a pioneering digital installation: "Forest of Time." The project leverages real-time technology to highlight threatened animal species in Southeast Asia, inviting Happitat visitors to become active participants in a shared ecosystem.
Happitat is a new experiential venue in Bangkok that integrates architecture, natural and green spaces, gastronomy, retail, events, family leisure offerings, and digital experiences. Within this innovative environment, "Forest of Time" serves as the centerpiece for immersive storytelling, designed and implemented by BoraBora Studios.
Participation as the Key to a "Phygital" Experience
The barrier to entry for the installation is intentionally low: via a smartphone QR code, visitors create a personal "digital ghost" that enters the virtual forest. The objective is to restore a forgotten ecosystem in collaboration with other guests. In this process, ancient forests are brought to life, making threatened or already extinct Southeast Asian animal species visible once again.
Initially, these animals appear only as light fragments; they only become fully visible step-by-step through the collective interaction of multiple visitors. Every interaction influences the ecosystem in real time. Simultaneously, every discovery expands the "Forest Codex" – a digital archive that links narrative elements with scientific information regarding the species and their natural habitats.
The Creator’s Motivation: Making People Smile
Florian Wögerer, CEO of BoraBora Studios, explains:
"Creating interactive experiences that make people smile is the core of our work at BoraBora Studios. Creating something that connects nature and the joy of life makes this project particularly special for us. It was fantastic to bring this idea to reality together with the Happitat team."
As the lead creative and technology partner, the studio was responsible for the creative concept, experience design, and technical implementation. The system is built on Unreal Engine and Ventuz and is designed to allow simultaneous interaction for a large number of guests.
The client is equally enthusiastic about the partnership. Orada Kerdhong, President and Head of Axtra Happitat Co., Ltd., states:
"We are very pleased with the collaboration with BoraBora Studios. Having seen their impressive projects in Europe and the Middle East, we were convinced not only by their creativity and technical excellence but also by their passion for creating experiences that inspire people to commit to nature. The team understood our vision from the beginning and brought it to life with great dedication."
With this installation, BoraBora Studios underscores its ambition to utilize digital infrastructure as a platform for participation and collective storytelling, while simultaneously expanding its international portfolio in the field of cultural attractions and experience-oriented public spaces.
Editorial Commentary: How Innovative and Valuable is this Concept? – An analysis by the EventMasterBook.com editorial team
Indeed, with "Forest of Time," BoraBora Studios (Cologne, Germany) has achieved something remarkable. The combination of cutting-edge technology and a genuine sense of community is compelling for several reasons:
- Collective Nature Experience: Instead of watching passively or acting individually, visitors can only achieve success by working together. Because animals only become visible when several people participate simultaneously, a sense of "we-feeling" is created among those present – a dynamic typically found in gaming.
- Seamless Connection Between Smartphone and Large-Scale Screen: Access is elegantly solved via one’s own mobile device. The personal "digital ghost" connects the individual directly to the massive virtual ecosystem on the display.
- Meaningful Messaging: The installation is not merely a visual spectacle; it raises awareness for threatened and extinct Southeast Asian animal species in a playful and emotional manner. Through the "Forest Codex," guests also learn valuable information about the forest ecosystem.
- Phygital Fusion: Physical space and digital real-time technology merge seamlessly in Happitat’s "Forest of Time," creating a novel, holistic experience.
In summary: An experience innovation that imparts knowledge, evokes empathy, and connects people.
Cover Image: Start of the phygital Forest of Time experience at the new mixed-use destination Happitat Bangkok (Source/Credit: BoraBora Studios)
Related topics:
BoraBora Studios, Happitat Bangkok, Forest of Time, digital installation, interactive experiences, immersive experiences, phygital experience, mixed reality, event technology, real-time content, Unreal Engine, Ventuz, immersive destination, innovative experience location, mixed-use destination, event design, storytelling, visitor interaction, edutainment, infotainment, community engagement
Summary (Abstract):
On August 21, 2026, the new experiential destination "Happitat" in Bangkok celebrates its opening, featuring the debut of the immersive digital installation "Forest of Time." Developed by BoraBora Studios, this large-scale, real-time projection allows guests to collectively restore a virtual ecosystem via their smartphones, making threatened animal species visible through collaborative interaction. The project successfully bridges innovative technology with education and emotional storytelling.
