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1867 Yonge Street
Suite 1100
Toronto, ON
M4S 1Y5
+1 416.480.2020

United States

530 Seventh Avenue
M2 - Unit 20
New York, NY
10018
+1 212.283.3030

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Canada

1867 Yonge Street
Suite 1100
Toronto, ON
M4S 1Y5
+1 416.480.2020

United States

530 Seventh Avenue
M2 - Unit 20
New York, NY
10018
+1 212.283.3030

Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

Smithsonian Institution: Hall of Human Origins

Overview

The Hall offers an emotional and intellectual journey through human evolution posing the question to visitors, “What does it mean to be human?”

Details

Client
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
Project
David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins
Size
15,000 sq. ft.
Scope
Exhibit Design - Nature
Location
Washington D.C., USA
Year Completed
2010

Impact

Visitors since opening
50+ million
An international collaboration
over 60 organizations and 100 researchers
Inspired
a traveling exhibition and popular App

3 Awards Total

2011 ARIDO Award
2010 OPIA Excellence in Print Awards
Best of Category
2010 HOW Awards
Merit: Environmental Graphics

The
Goal

The Smithsonian is a world leader in the study of human origins. Our goal was to conceive a powerful set of spaces and experiences to immerse visitors in the science of anthropology, and emotionally connect them to their ancient hominid ancestry. The Hall had multiple objectives: to help visitors understand that modern humans are connected to ancient human species through the powerful forces of evolution; to be flexible enough to accommodate new discoveries; to take visitors into the depths of the scientific research; and to give visitors access to the detailed evidence as well as the powerful fundamental milestones in human evolution. Overall, the Hall needed to establish a new experiential approach to the presentation of the evolution of human origins to balance immersion, innovation, and scientific engagement.

Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

The
Design

Our design showcases a chronological journey of 6 million years of evolution. The breadth of human evolution is presented on a sweeping, curvilinear evolutionary wall spanning virtually the entire length of the gallery. The wall is punctuated with monumental sculptures that signify the major milestones in human evolution from bipedality through to symbolic thought. The long vista into the main hall reveals a dramatic wall of stratigraphy showcasing ‘Human Characteristics’ as iconic sculptures, with abundant fossil highlights and accessible interactives within an undulating wall of sedimentary layers. Adjacent to the wall, visitors encounter a series of interactive curated media installations called ‘Snapshots in Time’.

Since human fossil evidence is fragmentary, minimal, and often difficult to understand, the design offers a rich palette of techniques, including multimedia

installations, immersive environments, powerful tactile sculptures, as well as direct encounters with real fossils to chronicle scientific evidence of a detailed history of human evolution.

The design incorporates large-scale multimedia environments, such as a “time-tunnel” that transports visitors through 6 million years of human evolution. Sculptured artworks bring visitors face-to-face with their hominid ancestors, personalizing the exhibits and providing great “selfie” moments. Installations immerse visitors in the world of early hominids to reinforce and appreciate the stories that fossilized bone fragments alone cannot easily communicate.

Hands-on Interactive experiences designed to foster social collaboration allow visitors to engage in scientific exploration, uncovering how scientists have come to investigate and understand human evolution.

The
Result

The gallery design of the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins purposefully builds a meaningful connection to our ancient human ancestors with encounters that stimulate both the mind and heart. The resulting design features are dramatic yet elegant, effectively conveying the message of the exhibit in an engaging and thought-provoking space.

The exhibition was considered such a success as a communication tool that it was turned into a travelling exhibition and has been exhibited across the United States to teach the science of evolution nationwide.

  • I believe the Human Origins Hall at NMNH shows that R&P are not only a group of exhibit design experts, but also a team of creative individuals who care and understand the impact of good design.Junko Chinen, Project Manager, Smithsonian Institution
Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

Media
Direction

R&P provided overall creative media management and direction, procured, and delivered the multimedia films and interactives for the project. This included the popular “Meanderthal” App. Based on the popular face-morphing interactive in the gallery, where visitors can “transform” themselves into one of our ancestors. It is a fun and engaging way to help visitors connect themselves with our human origins.

Invitation
Card

R&P had the opportunity to design the invitation card for the Smithsonian Institution’s opening event for the Hall of Human Origins. Inspired by the work of Paleontologists, the card is designed to reveal the treasures within the layers of earth. As readers pull out the invite from its sleeve, information about the event is revealed. The invite won the Best of Category Award at the OPIA Excellence in Print Awards 2010.

Photo courtesy of R&P

Smithsonian Institution: Hall of Human Origins

Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

Details

Client
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
Project
David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins
Size
15,000 sq. ft.
Scope
Exhibit Design - Nature
Location
Washington D.C., USA
Year Completed
2010

Overview

The Hall offers an emotional and intellectual journey through human evolution posing the question to visitors, “What does it mean to be human?”

Impact

Visitors since opening
50+ million
An international collaboration
over 60 organizations and 100 researchers
Inspired
a traveling exhibition and popular App

3 Awards Total

2011 ARIDO Award
2010 OPIA Excellence in Print Awards
Best of Category

The
Goal

The Smithsonian is a world leader in the study of human origins. Our goal was to conceive a powerful set of spaces and experiences to immerse visitors in the science of anthropology, and emotionally connect them to their ancient hominid ancestry. The Hall had multiple objectives: to help visitors understand that modern humans are connected to ancient human species through the powerful forces of evolution; to be flexible enough to accommodate new discoveries; to take visitors into the depths of the scientific research; and to give visitors access to the detailed evidence as well as the powerful fundamental milestones in human evolution. Overall, the Hall needed to establish a new experiential approach to the presentation of the evolution of human origins to balance immersion, innovation, and scientific engagement.

Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

The
Design

Our design showcases a chronological journey of 6 million years of evolution. The breadth of human evolution is presented on a sweeping, curvilinear evolutionary wall spanning virtually the entire length of the gallery. The wall is punctuated with monumental sculptures that signify the major milestones in human evolution from bipedality through to symbolic thought. The long vista into the main hall reveals a dramatic wall of stratigraphy showcasing ‘Human Characteristics’ as iconic sculptures, with abundant fossil highlights and accessible interactives within an undulating wall of sedimentary layers. Adjacent to the wall, visitors encounter a series of interactive curated media installations called ‘Snapshots in Time’.

Since human fossil evidence is fragmentary, minimal, and often difficult to understand, the design offers a rich palette of techniques, including multimedia

installations, immersive environments, powerful tactile sculptures, as well as direct encounters with real fossils to chronicle scientific evidence of a detailed history of human evolution.

The design incorporates large-scale multimedia environments, such as a “time-tunnel” that transports visitors through 6 million years of human evolution. Sculptured artworks bring visitors face-to-face with their hominid ancestors, personalizing the exhibits and providing great “selfie” moments. Installations immerse visitors in the world of early hominids to reinforce and appreciate the stories that fossilized bone fragments alone cannot easily communicate.

Hands-on Interactive experiences designed to foster social collaboration allow visitors to engage in scientific exploration, uncovering how scientists have come to investigate and understand human evolution.

Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

The
Result

The gallery design of the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins purposefully builds a meaningful connection to our ancient human ancestors with encounters that stimulate both the mind and heart. The resulting design features are dramatic yet elegant, effectively conveying the message of the exhibit in an engaging and thought-provoking space.

The exhibition was considered such a success as a communication tool that it was turned into a travelling exhibition and has been exhibited across the United States to teach the science of evolution nationwide.

Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
  • I believe the Human Origins Hall at NMNH shows that R&P are not only a group of exhibit design experts, but also a team of creative individuals who care and understand the impact of good design.Junko Chinen, Project Manager, Smithsonian Institution
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark

Media
Direction

R&P provided overall creative media management and direction, procured, and delivered the multimedia films and interactives for the project. This included the popular “Meanderthal” App. Based on the popular face-morphing interactive in the gallery, where visitors can “transform” themselves into one of our ancestors. It is a fun and engaging way to help visitors connect themselves with our human origins.

Photo courtesy of R&P

Invitation
Card

R&P had the opportunity to design the invitation card for the Smithsonian Institution’s opening event for the Hall of Human Origins. Inspired by the work of Paleontologists, the card is designed to reveal the treasures within the layers of earth. As readers pull out the invite from its sleeve, information about the event is revealed. The invite won the Best of Category Award at the OPIA Excellence in Print Awards 2010.

Photo courtesy of R&P
Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of JVD Photography (Jiri Von Drak)
Photo courtesy of © Smithsonian Institution, Chip Clark
Photo courtesy of R&P
Photo courtesy of R&P
ProjectsSmithsonian Institution: Hall of Human Origins