The Museum of Life and Science– Butterfly House and Insectarium
project type: fabrication , graphics , museums
The Museum of Life and Science is the premier hands-on interactive learning center in North Carolina. Developed incrementally over a span of 15 years, the Museum offers the visitor a wide variety of indoor and outdoor learning experiences clustered thematically throughout its 75 acre campus.
The most recent addition to the Museum is a complex of buildings comprising The Magic Wings Butterfly House, The Insectarium and The Caterpillar Cafe. Completed in March, 1999, the Butterfly House is designed to display the magical transformation from grub to butterfly in the lepidoptera .
The major exhibit space, a temperature and humidity controlled ‘green house’, provides habitat for butterflies from around the globe. This space, lush and colorful with hundreds of plant and butterfly species, is a very popular gathering place for both children and adults. A smaller, screen-enclosed portion of the building provides habitat for butterfly species native to North Carolina. The building also has a visually accessible ‘birthing’ room, where visitors can observe the growth and release of the chrysalis.
Design Dimension, working with Jeff Kennedy Associates and the Museum of Life and Science staff, developed wayfinding signage, species identification and life support systems, interactive exhibits and other displays for the Butterfly House.
The Insectarium and Caterpillar Cafe, adjacent to the Butterfly House, were completed in February, 2000. At the Insectarium, the visitor can examine a wide variety of insects in natural and controlled environments.
Design Dimension, again working with Jeff Kennedy Associates and the Museum of Life and Science staff, developed interpretive components including ‘how-the-wings-work’ interactives, aquatic and subterranean habitat, a rear lit ant farm, and other hands-on opportunities for the visitor.