DREAM STATE DESIGN
exhibitions - visitor experiences - products
Auckland Zoo, Centenary Exhibition
Auckland Zoo
I was approached by Auckland Zoo to assist in developing their 100th Anniversary exhibition.
I was tasked with developing the floor plan and spatial design elements that would guide the visitor through the 4 main themes of the exhibition.
Acknowledging the exhibition brief for the temporary 6 month display, I delivered a design solution suitable for a unique venue which allowed the development of content by the Zoo team, with efficient and straightforward approach to fabrication and installation, and easily adaptable for future use.
Most of the interpretive content was two dimensional, so I designed the infrastructure to guide the visitor and reveal various lines of sight and movement between the themes of the exhibition. This resulted in a paced experience with a good distribution of various types of activity. This approach allowed the Zoo team to develop content and graphic identity to suit their audience once the spatial work was complete and spatial designs were handed over for fabrication.
All sketches and CAD drawings by DreamStateDesign
All photography by Auckland Zoo.
All graphic design by Auckland Zoo
Image: Concept design sketch for storyboard and development workshop
Concept Design.
Floor plan at the concept design stage showing key themes and general circulation paths.
I recommended colour be employed to capture and interpret the title of each theme, allowing the visitor to easily recognize the individual themes, and the themes to have their own identity. This also allowed the exhibition to feel fresh and contemporary for an urban audience and to present a different experience from the rest of the Zoo environment.
Concept Design. To announce each theme a video monitor and signage were located at the forefront. I recommended this approach in order to provide recognition for the visitor - a cohesive solution to reinforce the thematic narrative. I also encouraged this solution to provide a clear presentation of Te Reo at each introduction.
Developed Design.
Example of a typical elevation annotated for the Zoo team to design and add graphic content
Concept Design. I proposed interpretive concepts that included various kinesthetic activities, offering variation to the Zoo experience and to expand on the narratives within the external and exhibit experiences. Designed for individual or group collaboration the activities acknowledge different learning styles and would culminate in the visitor contributing to the spatial environment over the course of the exhibition.
Developed Design.
Not part of the original brief, I developed the concept of a Waharoa design to assist the Zoo progress their te ao Maori journey by providing opportunities to deliver bilingual signage and welcoming as visitors transitioned into the exhibition space. The mobile double sided solution also allows flexibility for future applications. A key detail I proposed here was a contribution to the design from Ngāti Whāta in developing the kowhaiwhai design.
Installation. Images showing the module components installed.
All photos, graphic design and arrangements by Auckland Zoo.