Unusual Projects

Where curious minds deliver engaging results

Delivering the extraordinary

We specialise in the bespoke and unique installation of interactive exhibits, scenic set works and models for the heritage sector. Our team of experienced designers, technicians, joiners, metal workers, scenic artists, model and prop makers have worked together for over a decade and are based within the creative hub of York.

Services

Our sculptors, model makers and prop makers all bring large amounts of creativity and hi-tech solutions to your project. Our team have decades of practical, hands on experience to draw upon to deliver exceptional results. We really enjoy working collaboratively with you to match your model to your needs.
Our team of scenic artists come from a vast range of backgrounds and combined have decades of experience creating immersive environments specifically for heritage and visitor attractions.
Our reputation for creative design development, technically advanced build and the quality of our finished exhibits precedes us. Unusual Projects designs and manufactures exhibits entirely in-house, including physical, manual, electromechanical, hybrid, digital and tactile interactives.

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28 team members

8000 SQ FEET OF WORKSPACE

180 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE

It was great to work with Unusual projects – it was a challenging brief to bring WONDER to life in a relatively small space. We’re really pleased with the interactive elements, particularly the natural capital cubes, which give such a visual before and after message whilst also providing a higher level of detail to visitors who are interested. All the interactives are excellent quality and the whole space is modern, engaging and vibrant. Thanks to Jon and the team for working so closely with us.

Sue Penlington, Sustainability Manager, Holkham Hall
Unusual Projects created beautiful and practical interactives for the Museum’s most recent exhibitions. The interactives have generated a very positive visitor response, helping us to further engage our audiences with the RAF story. We enjoyed working with Unusual Projects throughout the design process.

Grace Ries, Head of Exhibitions and Interpretation, RAF Museum
The interactive is beautiful, functional, and fits my brief of being visitor-proof! Unusual projects produce high quality, lasting work, and I will be approaching them for more projects in future."

Zoë Batchelor, Chester Zoo
Unusual Projects were attentive and reactive to our needs throughout this refurbishment of several major interactive stations. They suggested sensible solutions to ensure we kept to budget and schedule and the end product has been praised by many.

Anna Ward, Interpretation Manager, Royal Armories Leeds
We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Unusual Projects in delivering try-on uniforms for our First World War gallery. Unusual Projects understood that the uniforms had to be incredibly durable, comply with conservation standards and be of a high quality, while maintaining as much authenticity as possible to make for a great visitor interaction; we were in very safe hands. Thank you to the team for delivering this on time and on budget, and for being lovely to work with- we look forward to the next project

Laura Davidson, Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer, IWM
Unusual Projects developed the GSC concept designs to ensure seamless integration with the set work and software and collaborated with all parties to deliver an excellent exhibition. They are a great team to work with.

Jenny Galbraith, Glasgow Science Centre
The stories that Wondrous Place presents belong to all, and to make sure of that we increased our accessibility to those stories through clever design. Visitors can find tactile album covers with interpretation in Braille that marked the history of music in Liverpool, as well as many other stories through all senses.

Andrea Campomanes, Senior Exhibitions Officer, Museum of Liverpool
Unusual Projects ensured the project was completed on time, within budget, and caused minimal impact on the visitor experience during install

Jason Webb, The National Museum of the Royal Navy
We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Unusual Projects for this project. Unusual Projects understood that the uniforms had to be incredibly durable, comply with conservation standards and be of a high quality, while maintaining as much authenticity as possible to make for a great visitor interaction; we were in very safe hands. Thank you to the team for delivering this on time and on budget, and for being lovely to work with - we look forward to the next project.

Laura Davidson, Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer, IWM
Unusual Projects ensure our guests receive a top-class experience. Their professionalism, expertise and approach to their work with us are second to none

Bernie Fleck, York’s Chocolate Story
Unusual Projects have delivered a fantastic new space that tells the story of the modern Royal Navy. Their pragmatic approach to the brief ensured the project was completed on time, within budget, and caused minimal impact on the visitor experience during install.

Jason Webb, Project Delivery Manager, NMRN
Unusual Projects are a safe pair of hands that allow us to focus on what’s most important. This was particularly useful during this project which was part of a much bigger building and campus redevelopment at the University of the Glasgow. The quality of Unusual Projects’ work from design to installation shines through, helping to create a unique space where the local community can engage with vital academic work on health and inequalities.

Duncan Smith, Senior Science Learning Coordinator, Glasgow Science Centre
Even though we have worked together for a while; on every project I’m always really impressed with the quality and craftmanship that Unusual produce. It’s always completely top notch! And lovely people too – all in all.. perfect!

Ian Claxton, Director, Ugly Studios
It has been wonderful working with like minded people on this exciting project who recognised the vision and helped realise the dream.

The Philip Astley Project

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sustainability policy

Within our business, sustainability is at the core of our mission as we create high-quality exhibits and exhibitions for science centres, museums, and visitor attractions. We prioritise the use of eco-friendly materials, opting for renewable resources, recycled components, and low-impact production methods wherever possible. We often refurbish existing structures, giving them new life through creative adaptations and innovative designs.

By repurposing and upcycling materials, we significantly reduce waste and minimise our environmental footprint. Our commitment to sustainability isn't just a practice but a value woven into every stage of our production process, ensuring that our creations not only captivate audiences but also contribute to a more environmentally conscious industry.

Find out more

Delivering the extraordinary

Services

Models

Scenic

Interactives

28 team members

8000 SQ FEET OF WORKSPACE

180 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE

sustainability policy