Emily Hobhouse

The War Rooms is a deeply immersive exhibition exploring the Second Anglo-Boer War and the humanitarian legacy of Emily Hobhouse, the British pacifist who campaigned against the suffering caused by British concentration camps in South Africa.

Presented across 24 audiovisual rooms, the exhibition places visitors within the layered realities of war, weaving together the stories of Boer fighters, British soldiers, and South Africa’s Black population through high-tech headsets, animation, sound, and archival material.

At its centre is Hobhouse’s voice, a powerful call for empathy, dignity, and justice. Visitors travel through scenes of a Boer homestead, guerrilla warfare, and the Scorched Earth Policy, before joining Emily on her journey into the camps. The exhibition concludes with her final reflections, a moving farewell that honours her courage and lasting legacy.

Fraser Randall provided Site Management for this technically complex installation, ensuring the successful delivery of a multi-room, choreographed visitor experience.

Our Role
• Provided full site management during the exhibition build and installation phases.
• Coordinated on-the-ground logistics for immersive technologies and artefact displays.
• Facilitated collaboration between local contractors, curators, and design teams.
• Oversaw health, safety, and programme delivery in a live, multi-layered environment.

Completed in 2024

Image Credit @ Bart Majoor