Purchase on account for schools, institutions, and businesses: simply place an order “on account” in the shop or request a quote here.

→ News

Experience science with Xbrick® and the Xplore app

Imagine if you could build a rocket out of the furniture available at a museum during a short workshop and use augmented reality to fly it to Mars—would you be interested?

Science centers, museums, and maker spaces have long since ceased to be mere exhibition spaces—they are hotspots for creative minds, inspiring explorers, and curious researchers of all ages. Here, science becomes tangible, experiential, and, above all, exciting. But what truly makes these spaces future-ready?

We are convinced that combining flexible furniture with modern technology can provide new inspiration for the design of exhibition spaces. Imagine a space that can be flexibly adapted to different ideas and projects—enhanced by digital tools that bring content to life. Xbrick®, our modular furniture system, and the Xplore app with augmented reality functionality help achieve this by expanding design possibilities and supporting creative processes.

Xbrick® is a flexible piece of furniture that, thanks to its intuitive handling—it’s lightweight, quiet, stackable, and combinable—enables a wide variety of spatial arrangements. It serves not only as a functional element but also as a learning tool that develops spatial awareness and supports creative processes. When used in combination with the Xplore app, it also opens up the possibility of integrating augmented reality content into learning and exhibition spaces in a playful way. For example, scenarios such as the construction of a Mars base or digital satellite simulations can be brought to life in an immersive way—serving as a catalyst for collaborative work, inquiry-based learning, and new forms of science communication.

Challenges in Equipping Maker Spaces and Workshop Rooms

Maker spaces and workshop rooms in science centers, museums, and planetariums are places designed to foster creativity, innovation, and collaborative learning. And these dynamic environments place high demands on their furnishings. The furniture serves as a practical tool for makers, as it should not only be functional and flexible but can also help create an inspiring atmosphere.

Here are the key challenges involved in furnishing such spaces in detail:

Reaching Diverse Audiences

Maker spaces bring together a wide variety of groups—from curious school classes and families with young children to specialized workshops for adults or professionals.

  • Adaptability of the furniture: Furniture should be designed to meet the needs of different age groups and various physical requirements.
  • Comfort and Ergonomics: While children need safe, easily accessible work surfaces, adults place greater value on ergonomic, movable seating.
  • Versatile Uses: Tables and seating should be suitable for both intensive work and casual conversations and events.

Flexible use for different formats

The variety of events held in these spaces—ranging from creative craft workshops to interactive lectures and presentations—calls for furniture that can be easily rearranged.

  • Quick reconfiguration: Furniture that is stackable, easy to move, or modular allows for quick changes between different usage configurations.
  • Compactness and Mobility: Flexible furniture elements that are not in use should be able to be stored in a space-saving manner or transported easily.
  • Dynamic Space Design: The furniture should foster a creative and open atmosphere that allows for flexible arrangement of elements—for example, for group work or presentations. Xbrick® is intuitive to use, easy for everyone to handle, and, thanks to its variety of colors and modular design, inspires and motivates users.

Xbrick®: Our modular furniture system for inspiring spaces

Xbrick® is a furniture system that is flexible, versatile, and perfectly tailored to the needs of modern learning and workshop environments. Whether in science centers, maker spaces, or interactive exhibits—Xbrick® offers countless possibilities for designing spaces in creative and versatile ways.

What makes Xbrick® special?

Xbrick® is more than just a piece of furniture—it’s a solution for dynamic spaces that are constantly changing. The modules are lightweight, sturdy, and designed to be easily stacked, combined, and customized. As a result, they provide a foundation that’s just as adaptable as the ideas that take shape in your spaces.

Applications of Xbrick®

Our Xbrick®s are truly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways:
ul>

  • Workshop tables and seating: Whether as a sturdy table base, a comfortable bench, or a practical platform—Xbrick® adapts to your needs.
  • Stationary and mobile solutions: The modules are light enough to be quickly rearranged, yet sturdy enough to withstand heavy use.
  • Interactive installations: When combined with our Xplore app, Xbrick® becomes a platform for digital experiences, creating a unique blend of physical space and augmented reality.
  • Versatility That Impresses

    We care not only about functionality, but also about the world we all share. Xbrick® is made from 100 % single-material expanded polypropylene (EPP)—a material that consists of 96 % air. This makes Xbrick® not only exceptionally lightweight, but also fully single-material at the end of its product life cycle.

    Here at wd3, we’re convinced that responsible design is reflected not only in the materials used, but also in the product’s lifespan and versatility. Xbrick® is versatile, functional, and adapts flexibly to different situations and needs—ideal for educational institutions, museums, or science centers where robust, adaptable solutions are required.

    Xbrick® is manufactured in southern Germany—with short supply chains, reliable regional partners, and assembly at the Remstal workshops. This is how we ensure that our entire value chain is transparent, local, and people-centered.

     

    Xbrick® for your room?

    With Xbrick®, you can create spaces that are as flexible as your ideas. The combination of ease of use, modular versatility, and responsible design makes our furniture system the ideal solution for modern and interactive learning environments.

    The Xplore App: Augmented Reality Meets Xbrick®

    The Xplore app expands the capabilities of Xbrick® through digital experiences. Together, they create an innovative concept that seamlessly connects the physical and digital worlds.

    How does the combination of Xbrick® and the Xplore app work?

    1. AR markers on Xbrick® modules:
      Each Xbrick® module is recognized by the Xplore app. As soon as an Xbrick® is scanned, the app detects where and how it is positioned in the room and overlays digital content onto the room on the display.
    2. Interactive AR Experiences:
      Just like in an escape room, tasks are solved in the app using (physical) Xbrick® blocks. For example, the planets of our solar system are displayed via the Xbrick®, and the goal is to arrange them in the correct order. This brings a lot of physical movement into the game, and the order is memorized in a completely different way. When playing with multiple players, the game also requires a lot of cooperation, communication, and spatial orientation.
    3. A combination of physical movement, haptic interaction, and digital content:
      The activities promote spatial thinking, teamwork, and motor skills, and offer a playful introduction to “augmented reality”—players stay active and engage with the real world despite being in a digital environment. Xplore thus combines physical play with Xbrick® and the digital world—always on the move and full of fun.

    A Detailed Look at the Xplore App’s Features

    Education and Gamification:
    The app conveys knowledge in a playful and interactive way. The combination of physical elements and digital experiences particularly appeals to young audiences.
    A wide range of topics:
    The app focuses on the challenge of building a rocket with Xbrick® blocks and establishing a base on Mars. This is complemented by additional tasks and features: For example, depending on the distance between the assembled Xbrick® pieces, animals of the corresponding size appear on the screen. There’s also a simple measurement feature that displays the distance, area, and volume of the scanned Xbrick® pieces. This leaves room for users to explore their own questions.
    Easy to use:
    The app’s user interface is designed to be intuitive. Both employees and visitors can use the app without any prior knowledge. It can be installed on any iPad via the App Store and works even without a Wi-Fi connection.

    Case Study: “Experience Space” Workshop – Understanding Science Through Play

    In this workshop, participants engage interactively with the topic of space exploration. The combination of modular Xbrick® elements and the Xplore app creates a dynamic learning environment where hands-on building and digital augmented reality experiences intertwine. This allows participants to explore complex scientific concepts in a creative, hands-on, and playful way.

    The Workshop Agenda

    • Discover the Solar System

    Each Xbrick® represents a planet that becomes visible through augmented reality. The task: Arrange the planets in the correct order in the room—an introduction to systematic thinking and spatial reasoning.
    • Journey to Mars

    In the next step, the participants work together to build a rocket—six Xbrick® modules represent different parts of the rocket. Once the rocket is successfully assembled and additional tasks are completed, the virtual flight to Mars begins. Along the way, participants learn exciting facts about space.
    • Build a Mars Station

    Once you reach your destination, the task is to construct a base camp—with antennas at the correct height and solar panels precisely aligned. Here, too, construction is carried out using Xbrick® modules, supported by digital instructions via AR.

    1. Digital Experience: Augmented Reality in Action

    The Xplore app enhances the physical gameplay with digital content—planets, spaceships, and information appear right in the room.

    2. Creative Exchange: Teamwork for Science

    The tasks require cooperation, communication, and creative thinking. The workshop promotes collaborative problem-solving and brings science to life.

    The Workshop Agenda

    • Discover the Solar System

    Each Xbrick® represents a planet that becomes visible through augmented reality. The task: Arrange the planets in the correct order in the room—an introduction to systematic thinking and spatial reasoning.

    • Journey to Mars
    In the next step, the participants work together to build a rocket—six Xbrick® modules represent different parts of the rocket. After successfully assembling the rocket and completing additional tasks, the virtual flight to Mars begins. Along the way, participants learn exciting facts about space.

    • Build a Mars station
    Once you reach your destination, you’ll need to set up a base camp—with antennas at the correct height and solar panels precisely aligned. Here, too, construction is carried out using Xbrick® modules, supported by digital instructions via AR.

    1. Digital Experience: Augmented Reality in Action
    The Xplore app enhances the physical gameplay with digital content—planets, spaceships, and information appear right in the room.

    2. Creative Exchange: Teamwork for Science

    The tasks require cooperation, communication, and creative thinking. The workshop promotes collaborative problem-solving and brings science to life.

    Bringing Science to Life—Together with Xbrick® and the Xplore App

    We see our work as an invitation: to grow, to collaborate, and to help shape the future.

    Whether in the classroom, in the Maker Space, or at the museum—our modules and tools offer ideas on how to meaningfully combine analog and digital elements. Not everything is perfect yet, but that’s precisely why now is the right time to try new things together.

    If you’re interested in working with us to explore new ideas, we look forward to hearing from you. For us, bringing science to life means staying curious, being open-minded—and shaping the future together.