California Academy of Science
Giants of Land and Sea
Life at the Edge
Giants highlighted the interplay of natural phenomena—plate tectonics, ocean upwelling, and fog—that give rise to Northern California’s most iconic organisms and the extraordinary ecological edge that is this region’s coastline.
Taking advantage of the light-filled, open architecture, exhibits use layers of translucent, textured materials and shapes representing California’s dynamic north coast. In contrast, small pavilion-like structures created enclosed, intimate spaces for immersive, interactive experiences. In all, there were 25 digital media and hands-on interactives and 3 immersive experiences.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Project Size: 8,000sf
Start Date: 2016, Opening: 2018, Closing: 2024
Role: Senior Exhibit Designer
Process Highlights:
• Early concepts included co-creation discussions with local artists about interpreting phenomena
• Multilingual interpretation testing and integration of English, Spanish, traditional Chinese, and Filipino
• A diversity of prototypes including a full-scale fog experience room
The exhibition used rich colors and materials to define land and sea interpretive areas.
Visitors watched geology unfold, the ocean well up, and the fog form over the cold, nutrient rich water—giving rise to plant and animal life found nowhere else on the planet.
The team worked with Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to obtain a crosscut tree section. Overall there are more than 180 specimen, objects, and models.
Visitors discovered how scientists examine tree rings to understand California's climatic past.
A model view for study and review: abstract forms, murals, and models were combined with living redwood trees and plantings.
Visitors stepped inside an intimate, multimedia theater and journeyed from forest floor to canopy.
Planters filled with young redwood and forest flora provided the backdrop for a cast of characters and their understory networks.
Visitors heard stories of the forest while immersed in the magical Bay Area fog.
We invited close looking and a playful learning opportunity through observation and illustration.
A model view for study and review: new geological stories wrapped the existing earthquake simulator.
The Shake House earthquake simulator is a perennial favorite of visitors.
Schematic bird's eye sketch
