Hawthorne Exhibit
A Design Case Study
Problem: Create a space for kids to imagine being a veterinarian that promotes learning, movement and play within a historic school house structure.
Solution: Through listening the donors at the Hawthorne Animal Hospital and learning what parts of their work they value most, Collab was able to recreate those key activities as a series of stations that children can engage with as they move through the exhibit and learn.
All photos courtesy of Wesley Law.
Collab was commissioned to design the Hawthorne Exhibit for the Edwardsville Children’s Museum. The exhibit encourages kids to interact and role-play as veterinarians.
The climbing structure is the organizing element of the entire exhibit, inviting kids to move, play and explore.
The exhibit includes a grooming area, x-ray station, pharmacy, exam area, an integrated climbing structure and bridge that connects to other exhibits in the space. The facade of the exhibit incorporates a coin drop that allows donations to make a chance filled journey to a coin back and support the Hawthorne Animal Hospital’s work caring for trained K-9 dogs working with law enforcement in the community.
The installation fits within a tight footprint within the historic school house and is designed to not obstruct the appearance of the building’s monumental double-hung windows.
