"Be A Tree" Exhibition Design
In this project---from a WWU design class---my objective was to design an exhibition constructed out of shipping containers, and create a physical model of that design. The exhibition I imagined, “Be A Tree”, is an interactive space where visitors gain empathy for the natural world by walking through the life cycle of a tree.
As visitors approach the space, they are drawn in by the porch feature in front of the exhibition, which functions as a demonstration of how trees experience time, as well as a central gathering place. The porch alludes to the rings of a tree, and serves as a timeline for guests to explore. The curved concentric walls inside the exhibition mimic the tree rings outside, allowing visitors to physically travel through a tree’s growth. When visitors exit the exhibition, they are greeted with a planting station, where resources are provided for guests to plant their seed in a pot to take home with them.
“Be A Tree” was designed with accessibility as a foundational goal. Its aims to help any person connect with nature by providing information in a variety of ways that meet different needs and interests. The exhibition is also made physically accessible as a single story building with doors/walkways that are scaled to accessibility code standards.
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If executed, this design would provide the opportunity for visitors to connect with nature in a way that isn’t time or resource intensive. Empathizing with nature inspires sustainable thinking, so the “Be A Tree” exhibition could create new opportunities for visitors to become stewards of healthy, happy, and sustainable communities.