 |
|
click on the map to see other animations
The Children's Discovery Museum (CDM) in San Jose, California resides on a beautiful stretch of park adjacent to the Guadalupe River. Throughout the history of the area, the river has played a vital role in the lives of the people, animals and plants that have lived there. The CDM is hoping that the Guadalupe might enrich the lives of their visitors as well. Through their newly proposed "Open Lot Project," the museum wants to transform the park area immediately behind the museum into an exhibit that celebrates the wonder of the outdoors as well as connects their visitors to the significant natural resource in their back yard. The CDM asked us to think about what types of exhibits might help create a spark of learning about the river and the outdoors. Specifically, they asked us to focus on how the fence needed to enclose the area can also be an opportunity for learning, both for visitors and for the people who are using the park on the other side. I took part in brainstorming, idea generation and research of the project as well as design and animation of the prototypes.
|
|
|
|
|
The proposed archeology exhibit features a large excavation area next to the museum. Pans, shovels, and brushes will be supplied to help the children discover different casts of animal bones. The twins to these bones will be embedded and arranged into skeletons of the animals in the adjacent fence. |
|
The proposed exhibit explores a few tangible aspects of Ohlone culture. These include their Tule reed huts, the creation of paint from plants using a mortar and pestle, and the harvesting of indigenous plants for food. Tule reed huts can be assembled for kids to explore and play in. The exhibit might also include some partially completed huts that the children can help assemble. |
 |
A cross section of an ant colony incorporated into the wall of the fence would teach kids how ants live underground, collect food and find their way through tunnels. |
 |
The fence in the Chinese section brings together the Chinese characteristics with the energy theme. Kids can climb up to the balcony to peek through the windows and see the river. The balcony would be connected to the water mill on one side. On rainy days, rain water could start turning the water mill and rain water could be collected in small tunnels that are in the wall. |
|
A large tower, styled after one of the missions, would allow for a lookout of the river. |
