Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, Chicago Botanic Garden - IL

The Chicago Botanic Garden required new exhibits within the visitor lobby of their newly built science center. Large windows looking into laboratories are paired with exhibits that address what happens inside the labs. Exhibits use flat graphics, interactive touch screens, low-tech interactives, and models to present topics such as plant physiology, conservation issues, and information on science at the garden in an engaging hands-on way.

Responsibilities included: project management, content development, exhibit design, graphic design, and documentation. Project completed while employed with The Portico Group.
Photographs of finished exhibit provided by 15 Letters, Inc.

This 3 dimensional model is an early rendering of how displays and environmental graphics are placed within the space. Being able to view the lobby from multiple perspectives allowed the design process to adapt differently than with just 2 dimensional drawings and and provided a way for the client to easily see how exhibits worked within the space.

This sample page from the final design package facilitated accurate results and easy coordination with the exhibt fabricator, ensuring that the final product was what all parties expected.

The early designs for graphics mimic the garden's aesthetic and natural beauty of their primary focus: plants.

This finished displays focused on seeds and provides multiple ways to engage with topics presented.

Visible from a second story, exhibits help punctuate the separation of laboratories along the interior window and provide necessary information about the laboratories when scientists or docents are not present.

Exterior graphics introduce visitors to what the center's focus is and provides messages on conservation techniques around the building.

This work including text, images and photos by Wing Fong is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.designbywingfong.com.