Overview

Perched 58 floors above London, Horizon 22 is Europe’s highest free public viewing platform. Offering panoramic views across the capital, the attraction called for a mobile-first, digital experience that could both situate visitors within the skyline and immerse them in London’s iconic cultural landmarks.

Smartify partnered with Horizon 22 to deliver an innovative augmented reality skyline scanner, a curated audio guide featuring expert voices, and a children’s trail that reimagines the city through time-travel storytelling.

Challenge

With hundreds of landmarks stretching across the skyline, visitors, especially international tourists, often found themselves asking: “What am I looking at?” While icons like St Paul’s Cathedral may be instantly recognisable, many architecturally striking or historically important buildings remain unfamiliar.

Horizon 22 wanted a way to help visitors identify, understand and connect with both the famous and the lesser-known sights, turning a breathtaking view into a meaningful exploration of London’s rich cultural landscape.

As access to the viewing platform is free, the guide was conceived as a retail product to enhance the experience. Horizon 22 envisioned a premium, story-driven offer that blended education and entertainment, captivating visitors with a wow factor while introducing a new revenue stream.

Our solution

Augmented reality skyline scanner

Using smartphones’ built-in geolocation and compass technology, Smartify developed a bespoke AR skyline scanner that allows visitors to scan the skyline and instantly learn about landmarks in view, from the Houses of Parliament to Wembley Stadium. Our experience provided:

• A simple and easy-to-use interface

• Historical and architectural information

• Embedded links to deeper stories and audio content

• An experience that works no matter the weather - day or night, even total cloud white-out!

The skyline scanner works seamlessly across iOS and Android via the Smartify app, without the need for additional hardware or downloads.

Immersive audio guide

Complementing the visual journey is an expert-led audio guide, exploring the sights and sounds of the city. Each stop reveals a different facet of London – from its financial heart at the Bank of England to the creative pulse of Tate Modern.

The guide features a lineup of notable voices, including Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate, discussing London’s cultural evolution; Julia Barfield, architect of the London Eye; Dr. Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral; as well as many more people who live and work at London’s most recognisable landmarks, offering unique perspectives on the capital.

Children’s trail

For families, Smartify created an original interactive children’s trail featuring a time-travelling hot air balloon piloted by a charming animated guide.

As young explorers drift through the skies, they “land” at different eras in London’s history, learning how London has changed over time and engaging with fun facts to test their parents.