Elemental Science Museum

UW-Stout Interior Design Capstone

Designer: Lexi Vrieze, WELL AP

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

PROJECT TYPE

Public Science Museum, 15 Weeks, Spring 2024

Square Feet: 30,000 - 2 Levels

Displayed at UW-Stout’s School of Art & Design Senior Show Software: Revit, Enscape, InDesign, Photoshop, OneNote, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel

PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT STATEMENT

The Elemental Science Museum serves as an educational and welcoming community environment. Throughout the space, intergenerational connections will be fostered, allowing people to interact with those from different backgrounds. The communal and transitional spaces will be open, airy, and light.

As people travel through the exhibits, they will tell a story through color, form, and pattern. The journey will focus on curiosity, playfulness, discovery, and inspiration.

KEY RESEARCH FOCUSES

-Neurodivergence in the built environment

-Incorporation of interactive elements within museums

-Volunteer needs in museums

-Local environment and populations in New Mexico

The Elemental Science Museum fire, air, and ether) with will be achieved through their own journey. This will centered design and the of rest create diversity Additionally, a connection with the outdoors

- DESIGN CONCEPT -

Museum offers users an experience through the five elements (water, earth, relations to the local environment. Throughout the space, a sense of flow an open concept allowing viewers to freely wander through the space on will be supported through colors, patterns, and shapes influenced by humanthe natural landscape. The combination of interactive displays and areas in the journey individuals take, as well as accommodate individual needs. connection to place will be achieved by creating moments where visitors can interact outdoors via views to the exterior or spending time on outdoor patios.

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

CURATOR OFFICE

OUTDOOR CAFE

INDOOR CAFE

CAFE KITCHEN

FUNCTIONAL GOAL: Classrooms for hosting field trips, after school programs, and hands-on experiments

FUNCTIONAL GOAL: Wellness spaces have acoustical absorption and durable finishes to support sensory/breastfeeding needs

FUNCTIONAL GOAL: Office break room supports mingling, connections, and bonding between staff and volunteers

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - W08): Family restrooms are provided for bathroom and hand-washing accommodations

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - C09): Lactation rooms support breastfeeding needs for visitors and staff

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - V02): Adjustable, ergonomic workstations for various needs of employees and volunteers

RUBBER FLOOR

LINOLEUM FLOOR

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

REFLECTED CEILING PLAN

12’ - 6” GYP. BOARD CEILING

ZYNN LINEAR PENDANT HANGS BETWEEN THE ACOUSTIC BAFFLES

ELKE PENDANT

11’ - 0” GYP. BOARD CEILING

10’ - 6” DROPPED GYP. CEILING

OPEN TO ABOVE

10’ - 6” ACT

LEVEL 1

ARKTURA

BLOOM METAL CEILING PANEL

ACOUSTICAL BAFFLES MIMIC THE ROCKY LANDSCAPE OF NEW MEXICO AND CREATE A SENSE OF COMPRESSION AND RELEASE

EUREKA ATOLL PENDANTS

12’ - 0” ACT WOOD CEILING

11’ - 6” ACT WOOD CEILING

End User Design Consideration: Carmen Sanchez, Volunteer

Carmen is an Albuquerque local. Their cultural ties to the area are what drew them to volunteer at the museum and support its mission. During their shifts, they think it is important to have visibility of heavily trafficked areas and interactions with visitors from the front desk. Additionally, Carmen would like to have a break area with locking storage and access to exterior views of the region they have grown to know and love.

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

ENTRANCE AND BRANDING

INFO DESK

BRANDING STORY

Elemental Science Museum Logo uses four unique teardrop shapes, representing each element. Together, the shapes create the shape of a hot air balloon, representing ether, the element of space. Through the connection of all these elements, a sense of peace and balance uplifts visitors.

LAMINATE

UPHOLSTERY

LAMINATE

FUNCTIONAL GOAL: Lobby to have a reception desk and media stands to give people a “preview” into the space to make them feel more comfortable.

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - C13):

Accessible and universal design will be incorporated through wayfinding and options for those with sensory needs, such as videoaudio options.

End User Design Consideration: Jasper and Eric Thornton, Community Members

Jasper is a 6-year-old with autism. His father, Eric, enjoys taking Jasper places to explore new things, but some spaces are not as accommodating to those with neurodivergence. Eric knows that Jasper is more comfortable in a new space when he can see what will go on before it experiences it. Graphic signage, videos of the space, and a sensory space would make Jasper feel more calm and comfortable. Additionally, having a plumbing fixtures closer to Jasper’s size helps him to feel more in control and would make it easier for Eric to take him to the restroom.

HAWORTH FERN TASK CHAIR

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

EXTERIOR AREAS

AIR EXHIBIT

EXHIBIT INSPIRATION

The air exhibit focuses on endangered species, specifically the Sandia Hairstreak. Using New Mexico’s state butterfly, The exhibit features an interior that fosters education about species and habitat exploration. Continuing to the exterior, the patio has native plants used by Sandia Hairstreak butterflies, encouraging physical interactions with the environment.

FUNCTIONAL GOAL: Exhibit spaces to have durable and easily cleanable finishes to make the area withstand heavy traffic and use.

AESTHETIC GOAL: Air exhibit is to feel light, whimsical, and inspiring.

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - M02): A connection to nature and place will be created through the exhibits, as they are specifically related to the natural elements in the Albuquerque region.

HAWORTH JANUS SEATING AND SWELL PENDANT

AIR BRANDING

The air shape in the Elemental Science Museum logo represents the wing of the Sandia Hairstreak. This is also carried into the donor wall of the exhibit and outdoor cafe ceiling.

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

FIRE EXHIBIT

EXHIBIT INSPIRATION

The fire exhibit focuses on the formation of volcanoes. The linoleum floor and acoustic baffles follow a pattern representing the flow of lava. Digital screens are located through the exhibit, including an interactive floor display that displays the layers of the earth. Also, highlighted on one of the main walls is an acoustic wall panel pattern, designed in the shape of tectonic plate boundaries. Below this wall feature, people can work hands on with models to see how tectonic plates shift.

FUNCTIONAL GOAL: Exhibit spaces to have durable and easily cleanable finishes to make the area withstand heavy traffic and use.

AESTHETIC GOAL: Fire exhibit is to be mysterious and evoke curiosity.

FIRE BRANDING

The fire shape in the Elemental Science Museum logo represents the flow of lava. Since the museum is in the Volcano Cliffs area, the science behind volcanoes is the highlight of this exhibit.

End User Design Consideration: Claire Greft, Elderly Visitor

Claire recently moved to the Albuquerque to live with her daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren. She loves spending time with her grandchildren and is an advocate for lifelong learning. Claire would love to take her grandkids to after school exploration sessions hosted by the museum. While spending time in the space, she would like their to be options for her to sit down, catch her breath, and learn something new. Claire’s daughter is still breastfeeding her youngest child, so a mother’s room near the exhibits would make it easy for her to take care of her youngest child while still being near the others.

HIGHTOWER PICNIC ROUND BENCH

WALLCOVER UPHOLSTERY FLOORING

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

EXHIBIT INSPIRATION

The water exhibit focuses on the history of irrigation in New Mexico. With its limited rivers and warmer climate, irrigation was an important part of life for natives. Water tables in the space are designed for visitors to experience how water would travel through irrigation canals. VR and television screens can also be found in the space for people to sit back and have a listening learning experience as well. Additionally, the resin wall entrance and floor pattern are inspired by the rivers that flow through New Mexico.

WATER BRANDING

The water shape in the Elemental Science Museum logo represents New Mexico’s historical irrigation systems and how people can reflect on the importance water has in our daily lives.

AESTHETIC GOAL: Water exhibit is to be colorful and playful.

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - L03):

The lighting in the Elemental museum will have views to the outdoors, allowing daylight to come through and support healthy circadian rhythms for users.

EARTH

EARTH EXHIBIT

EXHIBIT INSPIRATION

The earth exhibit focuses on unique rock formations found in New Mexico. A custom exhibit inspired by these formations is designed for visitors to climb into the formations and explore more about their formation and geology. Additionally, the tables around the room work as “discovery stations” where people can learn about the geography of the region by taking elements from the interactive learning storage.

EARTH BRANDING

The earth shape in the Elemental Science Museum logo represents the geography in New Mexico. The pattern is symbolic of unique rock formations found in New Mexico.

AESTHETIC GOAL: Earth exhibit is to be calming and warm.

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - L03): The lighting in the Elemental museum will have views to the outdoors, allowing daylight to come through and support healthy circadian rhythms for users.

ELEMENTAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

ETHER ATRIUM AND RENTABLE RETAIL SPACE

SUSTAINABLE GOAL (WELL - V03):

An aesthetic and visible staircase connecting the two levels of the museum will promote visitors to use the staircase instead of taking the elevators, unless necessary.

AESTHETIC GOAL:

Atrium is to be bright, welcoming, and spacious space to support wayfinding.

ETHER ATRIUM

ATRIUM DESIGN:

Ether is the fifth element, known as space. It connects all the elements. The atrium unites both levels of the museum with an open area between the staircases. The concept of compression and release enhances the experience. Here, hot air balloons are displayed, reminiscent of the annual balloon festival in the city. At the center of the atrium, rentable retail spaces are available for local vendors to sell items.