The exhibit space needed to attract visitors approaching from multiple vantage points. The space also needed to feel like a programmed space without obstructing existing foot traffic.

With such an open brief, I ideated many configurations for the floorplan. I visited the site numerous times, surveyed the space, and took photos of sight lines. In order to better visualize the space, I taught myself SketchUp so I could build a 3D model to further explore our options. These renderings proved incredibly helpful—they informed our decision-making on the floorplan, and allowed the library to pre-visualize how the visitor center would come together.

I designed the floorpan and casework to feel open, inviting, and accessible. Leveraging the existing design language used throughout the building, I labelled each interactive island with one-word titles. The “look” island prompts the visitor to view passive information, while the “learn” island showcases the touchscreen interactive. The visitor center—its overall layout and each exhibit island—were designed to be ADA accessible.