Inflatable Poo Palace brand activation provides awareness to the human digestive system.

Background

The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) started in 1998 with a vision to improve community well-being in the Hunter Region of NSW.

Today it has evolved into a world-class institute with 1500 medical researchers, students, and support staff. With a strong focus on community and health education, HMRI regularly interacts with the community to provide learning opportunities to improve community health.

The Design and Fabrication

In August 2022, HMRI reached out to Giant Inflatables to help them bring an idea to life. Their vision was to create an immersive interactive experience to educate children about the digestive system, its functions and how it impacts health and everyday life.

The interactive inflatable activation was to be a part educational experience and part physical activity, with each inflatable section representing a vital part of the digestive system. The GI design team made up the ten-by-ten meter modular inflatable obstacle course in four individual inflatable modules that connect to form the full activation. The HMRI team provided highly detailed textures that the GI team implemented into the inflatable design. This variation created a clear separation between each module.

Multiple layouts of the “Poo Palace” were considered to best use the space available until everybody agreed upon the simple “U” shaped configuration.

The abundance of activity inside the poo palace inspired the design team to optimize the exterior surfaces available to provide helpful diagrams, additional information and large-scale branding. This activation extension provided a more significant opportunity for photos, interactions and brand impressions.

The Results

The Poo Palace came together spectacularly. The excitement around the activation increased even before the inflatable was finished production.

Upon delivery, HMRI noted that the inflatable created a buzz with not only the young audience but also any adults who saw it, providing a unique, memorable and exciting asset that will have an extraordinarily positive impact on community engagement and awareness for the digestive system.