FLUGT Refugee Museum of Denmark

The FLUGT museum, designed by architects BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and exhibition designers Tinker imagineers, is situated near the Danish west coast. The new museum is created by Varde Museums, who is also behind TIRPITZ, the tourist attraction in Blåvand (also exhibition design by Tinker). After World War II, the site of the museum housed the largest refugee camp for German civilians in Denmark.



The museum gives voice to refugees worldwide. It captures their universal challenges, emotions, drive, and stories. The exhibitions use personal stories to put a face to the history and abstract numbers, and to show the connection between the local history of Oksbøl and today’s refugee crisis. The search for refuge and the tensions that come with it are of all times, and it’s something that could happen to anyone.



Tinker came up with an innovative immersive design that tells the stories of refugees of all ages in a way people have never experienced before. As part of this, the use of audio functions as the backbone of the experience design rather than just in support. The museum experience consists of several exhibition rooms and a large outdoor area. The personal stories of the refugees are brought to life with visual highlights, soundscapes, animations, interviews, and original film material. Visitors experience what refugees had to deal with then and still have nowadays. They put themselves in the shoes of the refugees and get to know them.



Outside, a huge and notable model of the former camp, made of concrete and Corten Steel, indicates its scale. Here starts an immersive audio walk through the forest. Visitors hear sounds and voices, experiencing history through the eyes of former camp refugees. This offers visitors a realistic experience of what daily life in the camp was like.