Choctaw Cultural Center
Durant, OK
Project Type
- Corporate
Services
- Scenic Elements
- Design
- Fabrication
Location
- Springfield, MO
Enhancing an Exhibit at Wonders of Wildlife
The Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, also known as Wonders of Wildlife, is a not-for-profit educational conservation-themed attraction in Springfield, Missouri. It features 350,000 square feet of immersive wildlife gallery containing taxidermized animals from around the world and a 1.5 million gallon Aquarium showcasing 35,000 individual fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals in a series of themed areas including an ocean shipwreck, Louisiana swamp, Ozark forest, and the Amazon rainforest.
Paragon Fabrication undertook a project at Wonders of Wildlife that involved enhancing its facilities, with a particular focus on improving access into one of the exhibits while maintaining a cohesive theme and preserving the natural aesthetics. The project involved constructing a new entryway for the exhibit, which featured a small vestibule designed to manage the movement of workers while keeping the animals contained. The innovative entryway seamlessly blended with the existing thematic elements and cleverly concealed the entry doors within the habitat.
The key aspects of the project can be summarized as follows:
Elusive Entryways
Enhanced Entryway with Vestibule: This project focused on improving accessibility for workers entering and exiting the exhibit. To achieve this, a new entryway was built, which included a small vestibule. The vestibule acted as a buffer space, allowing workers to move in and out of the exhibit without directly impacting the animals' environment. This approach aimed to minimize stress to the animals and maintain their safety during maintenance and care activities.
Concealed Passages: One of the features of the project was the strategic concealment of entry doors within the habitat itself. Rather than having visible and intrusive entry points, the doors were carefully hidden within the environment, contributing to the illusion that visitors were entering the animals' natural habitats directly.
Creating an Immersive Environment
Consistent Theme Integration: A significant aspect of the project was to ensure that the newly constructed entryway seamlessly blended with the existing theme of the attraction. This involved meticulous design work to ensure that the architecture, colors, and materials used in the construction matched the overall aesthetic of the exhibit. By doing so, the project maintained a cohesive and immersive experience for visitors, enhancing their connection with the animals and their habitats.
New Themed Ceiling: An innovative addition to the project was the introduction of a new themed ceiling. This element enhanced the immersive environment for visitors by creating a captivating visual overhead. The themed ceiling was thoughtfully designed to complement the existing theme and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the exhibit, while also providing additional security for the animals.
A Seamless Passage for Animals and Workers
In summary, the completed project at Wonders of Wildlife successfully achieved its goals of enhancing both guest experience and animal welfare. The new entryway, complete with a vestibule, offered a controlled space for worker movement, while the new themed ceiling added an immersive visual dimension. The project's attention to thematic continuity and hidden doorway integration ensured that visitors experienced an authentic encounter with the animals in a seamless, captivating environment, while also respecting the animals' habitats and the attraction's commitment to conservation and education.
