Ewing Cole

The Liberty Science Center draws more than 600,000 visitors from New Jersey, New York, and surrounding states every year. However small lobby areas, limited space for school lunches, and insufficient number of classroom and exhibit spaces hampered its ability to meet the demand for interactive science learning. In order to continue its effective outreach to schools and improve science instruction among students, New Jersey saw the need to facilitate its growth by expanding the size of the Science Center from 170,000 sf to 295,000 sf. This expansion included renovation to multiple exhibit areas and a traveling exhibit area in the new wing. A large lobby provides convenient entry and orientation, as well as new amenities, for all guests. EwingCole's work supported finding new revenue opportunities, creating better operational and staffing efficiencies, and simplified venue way-finding. The 1000 acres of nearby disturbed wetlands, the Statue of Liberty visible in the distance, and a unique view of the NYC skyline made this an appropriate place for a science center to integrate new innovations in environmental design. Although LEED certification was not formally pursued, a large building-integrated photovoltaic roof panel system, a nearby solar panel canopy system, a green roof, access to daylighting in public spaces, development on a former brownfield, easy access to mass transportation, energy efficient light sources, and use of local materials and many other educational environmental design opportunities were integrated into the renovation and new addition.

Jersey City, NJ

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