Light Lab Science Center Exhibit

The exhibit’s design draws visitors on a journey through the wonders of light. Guests enter through a luminous marquee and are immediately immersed in a tunnel of shifting color and shadow, setting the stage for interactive exploration. Each zone features hands-on experiences that reveal the science behind everyday phenomena. For example, the Color Fusion zone showcases a five-foot spinning acrylic disc that lets guests blend colors in real time, while Spectral Inspector allows visitors to break white light into its rainbow of components.

For this exhibit, we developed design renderings for two potential spaces within the science center. We evaluated each space, considered existing conditions and project costs, and helped the center’s management select the final space. Science City ultimately chose a ground-level, back-of-house space for the 3,345-square-foot exhibit, expanding the museum’s overall footprint. This presented unique design challenges due to existing conditions. For example, we had to modify an existing fire barrier wall separating Union Station and Science City, installing an accordion fire door to meet safety regulations.

Unifying three previously separate spaces, the design team had to contend with structural columns, partitions and varying ceiling heights. To create a seamless visitor experience, the exhibit’s pathway was carefully planned to offer clear sightlines and intuitive flow. The fire-rated doors were concealed within custom-fabricated steel plate portals, echoing the industrial character of Union Station while maintaining safety and accessibility.