After more than 30 years on Julia Street in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) closed their beloved blue doors in the summer of 2019 to forge a new path and built a new home nestled within City Park. With their “Take It Outside” approach, the 8.5-acre campus emphasizes its connection to nature and the surrounding environment. The new LEED Silver-certified, 56,000-square foot building was meticulously designed by lead architects Mithun and local partners Waggonner & Ball to be a social, cultural and learning resource for children and families. With a total project cost of $47.5 million, the facility is an embodiment of its mission through its building, site, exhibits and graphics.
AOS collaborated closely with LCM and Mithun for roughly two years as a design-assist partner to source unique furniture solutions for its new facility. The products needed to not only support children but also adult visitors, staff, volunteers, board members and community partners. Through sit-tests and mockups, the LCM was able to make selections based on comfort and style. The facility features five exhibit galleries, an expansive porch, outdoor play areas, a literacy center, a teacher and parent resource center, classrooms, a museum store, and staff offices and meeting spaces. Designed by Gyroscope. Inc, the new exhibits focus on the culture and environment of South Louisiana and spark curiosity, imagination and hands-on learning through new interactive exhibits and re-imagined favorites. Indoors and out, the Museum encourages engaged learning though literacy, health and wellness, arts and culture, environmental education, and STEM.
New Orleans, LA
56,000 SQ FT
2019
Knoll ReGeneration, Muuto Fiber Armchair Swivel Base, Muuto Fiber Side Chair A-Base, Coalesse, Emeco, Haba, Hightower, Janus Et Cie, Loll, Spacestor