Museum and Cultural Sites

Redhills Durham Miners Hall

North East England

Mining heritage brought to life through immersive storytelling.

Redhills Durham Miners Hall was established in 1915 and stands as a testament to the rich history of social progress and community in North East England. Built during the height of the UK’s coal industry, Redhills is closely tied to the nation’s industrial past, when coal mining was central to economic growth and the livelihoods of working communities.

Today, Redhills offers tours to showcase how its rich history and heritage is inspiring a new chapter. The building has become a hub for a new solidarity economy, supporting local people, skills and creativity.

Electrosonic designed, built and supports three immersive areas, using projection, audiovisual storytelling and dynamic displays to showcase the history of mining and the lives of those who shaped the region.

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Integrating audiovisual technology within a historic landmark.

Redhills partnered with Electrosonic to introduce audiovisual technology into the visitor experience in a way that would deepen engagement while honoring the building’s historical significance.

Electrosonic integrated immersive technology that respects and enhances the existing architecture. This required leveraging experience from prior projects such as the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre and The Engine Shed for Historic Environment Scotland.

The result is an experience where audiovisual storytelling brings the voices and experiences of miners to life, while the traditional fabric, atmosphere and authenticity of the museum remain intact and respected.

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Learning designed with clarity, flow and inclusive access in mind.

During the renovation of Redhills, coordinating audio for guided tours presented a unique operational complexity.

Multiple tour groups often moved through the building at the same time, making it a challenge to ensure each group heard only their own guide without overlap or disruption as they transitioned between rooms. This was addressed by using radio microphones on separate frequencies, allowing the correct audio to follow each guide seamlessly from space to space.

The solution enhanced clarity and flow for all visitors while also improving inclusivity, with tour audio now accessible via smartphones for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors and an Autism-friendly mode in the Interpretation Room that raises lighting levels and reduces sound volume to create a more comfortable experience.

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Reimaging Redhills for a new generation.

The renovation of Redhills Durham Mining Hall has transformed a historic landmark into a living, immersive experience that connects past and present.

By integrating audiovisual technology, Redhills has re-energised the building’s role as a place of learning, reflection and community, allowing visitors to engage more deeply with the stories of the miners and the social progress they helped shape.

Electrosonic’s design, build and support of three immersive environments brings mining history to life, ensuring the heritage of Redhills remains relevant and compelling for future generations. This renovation preserves the legacy of Redhills while redefining how its story is experienced.

Client:
Redhills CIO

Location:
North East England

Technology:
Epson, Leyard, QSC

Services

Design Development and Construction Documentation
Schematic Design
Design Validation & Engineering
Software & User Interface Development
Fabrication
Installation
Testing & Commissioning
Training & Adoption
On-Site Support

PITMANS PARLIAMENT

Inside the Parliament Hall.

This large historic hall is modeled after 18th-century chapels, with an atmosphere that reflects the formality and importance of the Pitman’s parliament. Originally serving as the headquarters of the Durham Mining Association, dedicated to organising and improving the lives of miners, the room now welcomes visitors twice along their journey, with each encounter revealing a distinct chapter of its multimedia story. Pew-like balcony seating and a council table at the front reinforce the feeling of structured debate and shared decision-making.

At the heart of the experience, two projectors cast custom-mapped content across the front wall, carefully designed to work around original features such as the antique clocks and ornate wood paneling.

The visuals bring to life the traditional way ideas and laws are discussed, while a surround system adds clarity and presence. Designed for flexibility, the hall functions both as an immersive heritage space and as a fully equipped events venue, creating new opportunities for engagement and learning.

THE COMMITTEE ROOM

Purpose built meeting spaces.

This smaller meeting room is designed for focused discussions and intimate presentations, offering visitors a flexible and practical space to gather with the updated technology. It is equipped with a 50-inch display mounted on a mobile trolley, along with a soundbar and media player to support clear visuals and audio.

All the equipment is housed on a mobile stand, creating easy configuration options that suit different needs, making it ideal for meetings, briefings or group sessions.

The exterior of Redhills Durham Miners Hall

A high side angle of the Pitman's Parliament

A screen on a Mobile trolley that has the Redhills website on it.

The exterior building and sign of the Redhills Durham Miners Hall

A low angle view of a man standing that the front of the Pitman's Parliament

A man with a tablet looking at a video wall that displays the Miners Hall.

The committee room that has a table, memorabilia and screens with the Redhills website.

A man touching a tablet in front of a video wall.

A video wall displaying media about mining heritage.

A side angle of a man sitting down and watching the media displayed on the wall.

The committee room that has a screen on a mobile trolley and a laptop.

A man on the stage in the Pitman's Parliament with media displayed on the background.

THE INTERPRETATION SPACE

Experience the life of a miner.

Stepping into this space feels like entering a coal mine, with a deliberately dark environment and realistic setworks such as structural support beams and textured “coal face” walls that ground visitors in the experience.

The story unfolds across two four-meter-wide 4K video walls showing custom content, while a surround sound system adds depth and realism to the atmosphere.

Designed to be more than just an immersive cinema, the space is also highly adaptable, supporting presentations, commercial bookings, and use as an overflow area for the Pitman’s Parliament.

Beyond its immersive role, the space seamlessly connects to the main hall’s audiovisual system, allowing the space to adapt easily to different uses while maintaining its immersive character.

A man sitting on a wooden crate looking at the media on the wall with the Durham Miners Association on it.

A back side angle of a room with a video wall in the front and centered.

A black room with 6 wooden crates as furniture and video wall that displays media.

A man standing in front of the video wall with a tablet.

How technology plays a role in telling your story

Learn how museums are incorporating elements of audiovisual technology to elevate visitor experience, creating dynamic and educational environments.

LEARN MORE

Redhills has always represented community, progress and shared history. Our work with Electrosonic has helped translate those values into immersive spaces that allow visitors to step into the stories of the miners who defined our region.

Alix Collingwood

Head of Engagement, Redhills Durham Miners Hall