Challenge
After 30 years in its original location, the Louisiana Children’s Museum relocated from a downtown New Orleans warehouse to a new, 8.5 acre space in City Park. The updated building was part of a larger overall effort to create a space that reflected the museum’s commitment to the children and future of New Orleans. Julia Bland, CEO of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, explains, “We wanted the project to be big, bold, and a decisive statement to show that we were focused on a meaningful investment for the children in this city.”
Working closely with leading Seattle designer Mithun, the museum wanted to create a space that was unique to the City of New Orleans and stood apart from other similar museums around the country, integrating local wildlife, plantings, and natural resources over plastic and other man-made materials.
Solution
PermaTrak was selected to design a walkway and signature entrance to the museum, including an elliptical observation deck for visitors to view local wildlife and plantings on the lagoon. A Japanese artist was commissioned to design a fog installation that runs three times an hour and responds to local meteorological conditions.
Bland is especially proud of the unique entrance. “The PermaTrak boardwalk is beautiful, practical, and durable. All in all, it’s been a great product for us and we’re glad to have it.” PermaTrak’s precast concrete boardwalk system offers a high quality, sustainable, and low maintenance option that reflects the long-term investment in the future of one of America’s great cities.
(Photos courtesy of Louisiana Children's Museum)
