22 May 2015
JRA reimagines Children's Museum of Atlanta for major redevelopment
BY Tom Anstey
Plans have been revealed for a large-scale renovation of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, with Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) providing complete planning, design and project management for the development.
Set to be completed in Q3 2015, the project will add two permanent exhibits as well as a new 3,000sq ft (279sq m) mezzanine level. Renovations include four reinvigorated galleries, with the addition of a new permanent performance space for 'The Imaginators' – actors and educators who perform to visitors at the attraction.
First opened in 2003, the museum includes age-appropriate programming, with hands-on, experiential learning and engagement. The museum’s new central exhibit “Gateway to the World” is a two-storey climbing structure, where children will climb through the layers of the earth before entering an interactive globe with six continent-shaped tables. Each table will have a variety of hands-on activities based on subjects including geography, geology, astronomy, physics and aerodynamics.
The other new exhibit, “Step Up To Science”, will sit on the new mezzanine level, offering fun activities for kids. Themes for the activities will include science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). A permanent science bar for the exhibition will allow children to observe and conduct scientific experiments with a team of trained experts.
As part of the plans, the museum’s existing learning zones will all be revamped and enhanced, with new installations and state-of-the-art technology to enhance learning, including:
• 'Tools for Solutions' will gain a new construction house to teach what is “behind the walls” of a home, offering interactive designing and building opportunities.
• 'Fundamentally Food' will now include a new diner area, which – along with the existing grocery area – will teach children about the food process from farm to table.
• 'Let Your Creativity Flow' has a 'new maker space' earmarked in the redevelopment. In this zone children will be able to build inventions and create artwork.
• 'Leaping Into Learning' will provide the museum's youngest visitors learning opportunities, with a revamped learning zone providing young babies and toddlers fun ways to explore the world around them.
The museum will close for a brief period on 1 August to complete the renovations, with the new space expected to be unveiled by the end of the quarter.
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