The Exploratorium
As part of the NSF-funded 'Outdoor Exploratorium' project at the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco, I played a key role in the R&D stage, where we explored the intersections between the urban landscape and the natural environment of the bay. I designed, built, installed, and tested eight prototypes that aimed to reveal and engage overlooked aspects of the built and natural world. Several full-scale mockups are shown below. My work involved extensive surveys of the city, the waterfront, and even beneath the piers to uncover opportunities for creating interactive public experiences.
During this 'experiments in noticing' phase, we encouraged people walking outside the museum to engage more deeply with their surroundings. A critical insight from our work was the public's general lack of attention to the water in the bay, which informed many of our exhibit concepts. Years later, when the museum relocated, many of the team’s early ideas were integrated into the final waterfront exhibition, continuing the mission to connect people with the environment through science and curiosity.
This prototype exhibit was designed to creatively engage the public with the dynamic tidal phenomena of the San Francisco Bay.
My investigation of the bay (which is actually an estuary) showed that the density of the water allowed for us to create reflections. Using a "manipulatable" parabolic mirror, the public could create triangles of light, giving us a entrance to engage them with the idea of what is the nature of the water.
This proof-of-concept exhibit was a sound mixing station. It had three microphones: one on the bay floor, one underneath the pier, and one on top of the pier. The public could mix these sounds to create their waterfront mix. Fostering curiosity about the bay and its unique soundscape.