Which Way to Discovery?
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The new Children’s Library Discovery Center of Queens Library, dedicated this month, was designed by 1100:Architect.
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(9.20.2011) -- Queens Library's new Children's Discovery Center is as much museum as it is library, with interactive science, math, and technology exhibits leading the way to fun learning. When kids walk on the gigantic motion-activated floor map designed by Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership, sound effects pinpoint borough hotspots: a jet takeoff at JFK International Airport, the crack of a baseball bat and roaring crowd at Citifield, and trains on the Long Island Railroad.
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When kids walk on the gigantic motion-activated floor map, sound effects highlight borough hotspots: jets taking off at JFK Airport, the crack of a baseball bat at Citifield, and trains on the Long Island Railroad.
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A memorable color palette and bold figures, signage, and interactive exhibits tell the story of Queens Library's offerings to children. Working with project architects 1100:Architect, Skolnick provided the concept and design for interior signage, environmental graphics, new wayfinding kiosks, and a reading area for very young visitors.
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Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership created a memorable color palette and bold environmental graphics to reinforce a sense of discovery.
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Environmental graphics include a sculpture of an arching wave near the early childhood reading area that extends to colorful beach-themed murals and a kinetic sculpture of iridescent fish. Signage explains the building's green features and informs children about environmental issues and sustainability.
Exhibit "plazas," developed with Exploratorium, the New York Hall of Science, and Brooklyn Children's Museum, dot the two floors of the building. A video projection on the central elevator tower displays words and phrases in five different languages--Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, French, and Russian--representing the more than 80 languages spoken by Queens residents.