Rijkswaterstaat | Northsea Data Experience
We helped Rijkswaterstaat transform its complex North Sea data into a captivating VR experience, allowing users to explore marine environments interactively through the eyes of a seagull or porpoise.
The Client
Rijkswaterstaat is the executive agency of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Netherlands. The organization is responsible for the design, construction, management, and maintenance of the country’s main infrastructure facilities, including waterways, roads, and flood protection systems. It also manages and monitors the North Sea, collecting vast amounts of data on marine life, navigation routes, shipwrecks, and underwater infrastructure.

The Question
Rijkswaterstaat possesses a vast amount of data about the North Sea ranging from shipping routes and shipwrecks to marine life above and below the surface. This data is spread across various systems and is typically presented in static, non-interactive formats.
Rijkswaterstaat wanted to explore how this data could be visualized in a more engaging way to better show what the North Sea looks like, what happens above and below the surface, and to demonstrate the sheer volume of available information.

The Solution
We brought the data to life in a Virtual Reality experience. Users can choose to explore the North Sea through the eyes of either a porpoise or a seagull. After selecting a point of interest, the user dives into the environment to begin their journey.
From the perspective of a seagull, the North Sea is seen from above, displaying information about pipelines, shipping lanes, and offshore installations. As a porpoise, users explore the underwater world learning about depths, fish species, and life on the seabed.
