Planet Word

Museum

The world’s first voice-activated museum dedicated to the power of language: this was the groundbreaking and innovative objective that — with Solomon Group’s help — turned a nearly 200-year-old historic schoolhouse in Washington, D.C. into Planet Word.

Immersive Storytelling Through Technology

The museum is comprised of ten galleries, each combining top-of-the-line technical performance with immersive storytelling.

Some of its highlights are:
The Word Wall: A 22-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide interactive installation with 2,005 custom-fabricated letters that “listens” to visitors, animates in response to speech, and becomes more intelligent over time. A truly one-of-a-kind fusion of design, fabrication, and AI-driven interactivity.

The Library: A soaring, wood-paneled space with handcrafted cabinetry concealing seamlessly integrated interactive stations.

The Media Spiral: A curved digital ribbon guiding visitors through the stories and science of language.

SCOPE

Cost Estimating
Exhibit Fabrication + Finishing
AV Systems Integration
Graphics Production
Exhibit Lighting
Project Management
Installation & Maintenance

Strategy, Scope, and Challenges

We joined the project during the design development phase as part of its core project team, contributing critical and innovative thinking and expertise. Our role extended beyond execution. We collaborated with the clients, designers, and media producers to translate creative ideas into scalable, durable, and interactive experiences that could perform for millions of visitors while preserving the building’s historic character. Deploying our producer-led model, we aligned strategy, design, technology, and fabrication to deliver one of the most innovative museums of the decade.

When the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the museum’s production and opening, we adapted by developing solutions for a touchless, fully digital museum experience, ensuring that interactivity didn’t sacrifice guest health and safety.

Recognition and Impact

Planet Word became a landmark in experiential education by exemplifying how immersive design can elevate a museum into a cultural epicenter. Since opening, it has been celebrated across the museum and design industries with accolades like the SEGD Global Design Award, earned in partnership with exhibit designers Local Projects.

The museum offered visitors a sense of wonder in a moment when connection and inspiration felt especially meaningful. While the pandemic-era restrictions passed, the museum remains a unique and ahead-of-its-time space, inspiring hundreds of thousands of visitors of all ages to experience words in new and unexpected ways.