California Academy of Sciences
Hidden Wonders
The Academy’s Library of Life
Each specimen in the vast on-site collection is a wealth of information that propels scientific discoveries about Earth’s history and biodiversity. Scientists collect and study specimens and data from around the world to understand what life exists on the planet and develop solutions to our most pressing ecological challenges.
The project began with a complete architectural renovation of an underused lab area, transforming a small footprint into a new flexible light- and climate-controlled gallery to exhibit collections safely.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Project Size: 1,650sf
Start Date: 2019, Opening: 2022 (ongoing)
Role: Senior Exhibit Designer, Architectural Designer
Process Highlights:
• Close collaboration with an award-winning architectural firm for design and building systems upgrades
• Space and concept planning with direct input from the major funder
• Extensive analysis of case modularity, flexibility, durability, and cost
Visual motifs include 'transformational frames' that reveal layers of information hidden within each object.
Core themes for the exhibition include: why we collect, how we collect, and the impact of collections research.
Modular case and interpretation systems provide future flexibility – a top priority of this gallery.
Early sketches are essential as concepts and experience ideas are matched with display methods.
Early digital models for study and review.
The final exhibit looks at how specimen are collected and preserved.
Around each corner, objects are explored in different ways – an invitation to touch or to dive into digital scans.
