The Collage of Extraordinary Expereinces

Case Study:

Transforming a Castle into a World of Wonder

Client: College of Extraordinary Experiences

Location: Poland

Year: 2024

Role: Scenography Designer & Experience Curator

Scope of Work: Scenography Design, Team Leadership, Space Transformation, Participant Engagement

This year, I embarked on an enchanting journey as the scenography designer for the "College of Extraordinary Experiences." Assembling a talented group of creators dubbed "the vibe team," we transformed a castle into a realm of wonder and connection.

Our canvas was vast and varied: we crafted stages that came alive with light, carved out cozy corners for intimate conversations, and conjured pop-up parties that appeared like magic. We designed spa experiences to soothe the soul, built secret portals to spark curiosity, and even created pillow forts that brought out the child in everyone.

At the heart of this project was my passion for designing spaces that evoke awe and foster connection. From grand halls to hidden nooks, each area was carefully curated to enhance how people engage with their surroundings and each other. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of thoughtful design to bring people together and create truly extraordinary moments.

Learn more about the Collage

Challenges

Designing and executing transformations within a tight setup timeframe (1 day).

Creating flexible, multi-functional spaces to accommodate spontaneous participant-led activities.

Balancing historical preservation of the castle with experimental and immersive design.

Process

Concept Development

Crafted a central theme of “Wonder and Connection” to guide scenography design.
Designed spaces that wove storytelling, art, and participant interaction into the experience.

Team Leadership

Assembled and led a multidisciplinary team, “The Vibe Team,” responsible for the setup, breakdown, and day-to-day maintenance of the transformed spaces.
Fostered collaboration and creativity among team members to execute the vision seamlessly.

Space Transformation

Transformed the main hall, dining area, and cabaret into immersive hubs of interaction and storytelling.

Used sustainable and upcycled materials like fabrics, branches, and lighting to dress spaces while preserving the castle’s historical integrity.

Pop-Up Experience Integration

Designed and supported spontaneous experiences, including pillow forts, secret portals, and cozy reflection spaces, to encourage participant-led creativity.
Collaborated with performers to create interactive moments that surprised and delighted attendees.

Participant Engagment

Worked directly with participants, inviting them to interact with the spaces and contribute to the evolving narrative of the event.
Fostered playful and meaningful interactions through scavenger hunts, tea lounges, and intimate storytelling spaces.

Performance and Choreography Collaboration

Coordinated with musicians and performers to integrate their acts seamlessly into the designed spaces.
Ensured that each performance utilized the unique characteristics of the castle’s transformed environment to enhance storytelling.

Outcome

Delivered an immersive castle transformation that left participants describing the event as "magical" and "life-changing.
Fostered deep connections between attendees through thoughtfully designed spaces and interactions.
Enhanced participant engagement by creating flexible, dynamic spaces that evolved throughout the event.