Experiential designers at MET Studio have been commissioned to create an interactive exhibition at the National War Museum in Chelsea. Based on the critically acclaimed novel and play War Horse, the exhibit explores how horses were used and treated in war throughout history, primarily the First World War.

Opening 22 October, the museum will sift fact from fiction and tell the real life stories of the horses and the soldiers who depended on them.

The designers transformed the 480 sq m gallery space into an interactive area for families by building two enclosures with sculptural horses. The use of smells, noise, and visuals bring the scenes to life and gives insight to the atmosphere horses were in. The enclosures become as realistic as possible to the First World War with effects to mimic the conditions in which over eight million horses died.

MET Studio's designers created the exhibit to tell the story of the animals through graphics and visual stimulation. The story begins with the animals in their natural habitat and slowly weaves its way through history before finally ending up in the explosive WWI, where the horses meet their demise by their replacements: the tank.

The exhibit also includes a focus on life below decks on transport ships and the journey through 'no man's land.' One of the main sights is a pivotal scene from the book and play where the horse gets its head stuck in barbed wire.

Using their approach of creating an environment to attract, inform, motivate and inspire, MET Studio's designers developed a series of flowing images on graphic panels that seem abstract until visitors look back at the whole exhibition and can see a charge of horses galloping.

Met Studio has been commissioned to design some of the most incredible visual spaces in the world, including the Children's Zoo at the London Zoo. Since it was founded in 1982, the studio has prided itself in conveying stories and messages through its work.