...while leaving other spaces intentionally dark, resulting in a truly immersive experience that fosters learning through imagination, creativity, and play.
...while leaving other spaces intentionally dark, resulting in a truly immersive experience that fosters learning through imagination, creativity, and play.
Peggy Notebaert/Nature's PlaySpace
An immersive, interactive experience and play area at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum connects the institution’s youngest visitors to nature via dozens of hands-on displays, activities, and themed spaces.
Morlights designed and focused the lighting for the sprawling exhibit before the installation of its soft rubber floor, which would have posed challenges for access and lift equipment.
The all-LED scheme uses track heads for general illumination, with on-board dimmers that enable light levels to be adjusted based on exhibit needs, as well as the amount of daylight entering from large windows on the museum’s east side.
The track lighting contains two circuits, with a daylight channel, which helps balance the increased illumination during the morning hours when daylight is abundant, as well as the decreased illumination as the evening approaches. Turning the daylight circuit on or off ensures the exhibit is lit appropriately at all hours. The track system also provided a way for the fixtures to be located wherever needed, while still remaining aesthetically pleasing and meeting code. In addition, the system provides flexibility, as the track can be rearranged in the future if needed.
Built-in elements highlight special features throughout the exhibit, including a state-of-the-art water feature, oversized beaver lodge, and larger-than-life bird nest and treehouse. Close collaboration with Luci Creative and the museum staff enabled the team to achieve light levels that highlight these features, while leaving other spaces intentionally dark, resulting in a truly immersive experience that fosters learning through imagination, creativity, and play.
