Children’s Discovery Center, Tampa, Florida
The Children’s Discovery Center at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, grew out of an earlier Zoo Master Plan in which Jan Coleman had participated. Recognizing that the Education Program made a substantial contribution to the facility’s economic base, a new venue was envisioned to expand its reach.
Jan renovated a 2,000sf gift shop as interactive exhibit space and flexible classroom, with a climb-in Florida diorama, brightly colored tropical world map mural, pull-out terrariums, discovery drawers, a “Newspaper Puppet Theater,” child-oriented graphics and an interactive Giant Earth Globe with mirrored video frustum interior.
Because the space was small, a nearby amphitheater was renovated to accommodate live animal demonstrations and storytelling events associated with the Discovery Center and its programs.
A 2,000 square foot zoo building was renovated to create interactions between education staff and children in an exhibit and classroom setting. Photos Courtesy Richard Wilhelm.
Detail from graphic wall panels, illustrating wildlife and artifacts from subtropical latitudes on a map of the world.
Exotic vertebrates and invertebrates on shelves that easily roll out for staff access. Photos Courtesy Richard Wilhelm.
Interactive discovery drawers invite children to explore alone or in groups. Photos Courtesy Richard Wilhelm.
A video frustum inside a large globe of the world encourages visitors to see the beauty within natural environments. Photos Courtesy Richard Wilhelm.
Simple cloud and sun forms enliven the overhead space and drop the ceiling to a child-size scale.
