1 minute read
St. Louis Science Center
Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum | Missouri Office
Justified
Advertisement
St. Louis Science Center was my first case study selection, and I’ll admit it was at a point where I was not completely firm on what my thesis project would entail. I was however confident in my desire to create a project that would provide residents and visitors the opportunity to experience something simultaneously pleasurable and educational. A space for enjoying and celebrating the natural beauty and systems around them. When reviewing images of floor plans, exhibits, and even user-posted Yelp review photos, I felt like St. Louis Science Center successfully offers the ingredients to a fun and enlightening experience.
Principle Roots
One of my own challenges for my own project is how tocaptureandinstillasmuchprogressasIcantoward both social and experiential outcome goals that I’ve set. Something that the Science Center successfully does is engage an expansive demographic, which is something my own project will aim to achieve. When looking at the different spaces and the activities that are accommodated therein, ultimately I wanted to see if there is a pattern or level of overlap in what is being provided.
It appears to me that one of the key ingredients that leads to robust enjoyment and engagement in the available spaces stems from designing with flexibility in mind. Planning for multi-purpose use of a given space maximizes the efficiency of the overall design. As seen in the labeled #4 diagram on the right hand side of the page, there is a relationship between multi-purpose space and diverse engagement. This is a strategy that I think will benefit my own set goals for my thesis project.
The other aspect articulated by the diagram is that performance and lecture space is also a key element in generating diverse engagement. Humans have been engaging in shared story-telling since the first fire-pit was dug. It is the oldest and most intuitive form sharing knowledge and entertainment. It is understandable and logical that spaces dedicated to this form of promulgation and entertainment serve in vitally providing wide spread and diverse engagement.
Planetarium used for light shows, stargazing, and yoga Energy Stage used for exciting demonstration and mellow story time
GROW Pavilion showcasing its utility and interactive personality Strategies for diverse engagement through a ven diagram
