Gorges State Park Visitor Center
Sapphire, North Carolina
Services:
Creating a Visual Language
Design Dimension, Inc, created a cohesive brand that begins at the Park entry, where a large relief map of the Blue Ridge Escarpment cast in concrete, welcomes visitors. This is carried throughout the exhibit structure with overlaid collage style graphics, frosted glass panels, interpretive images, text blocks, digital monitors, and interactive opportunities. The repetitive use of this design element helped to stitch together the diverse interpretive messages offered at the Park into a cohesive informational experience. The oversize mural images were taken by renowned nature photographer Chuck Downs.
Interactive Exhibit Components
An 2-story waterfall wall explores the geography and geology of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, allowing visitors to touch and walk under the waterfall structure. A real-time rain gauge displays the amount of rainfall at the park, compared to other cities in NC. Next visitors can take a look at the generations of people that have historically called the Gorges region their home, from Native Americans, through migrating Europeans, to the current inhabitants. A postcard station at the end of the exhibit allows visitors to send ‘Kodak Moment’ scenes from the park or a selfie in the visitor center to friends and family.
Press
NC DEQ Gorges State Park will dedicate new visitor center
Smoky Mountain News Up-and-coming: Gorges State Park unveils new visitor center
Blue Ridge Now Gorges State Park opens new visitors center
North Carolina State Parks Dramatic visitor center introduces Gorges State Park to new audience
Carolina Public Press Gorges State Park to dedicate new visitor center, facilities