MOTAT Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre

Designing an innovative and interactive learning environment

 

Scott Parker of Scott Parker Creative was engaged to support the MOTAT team with the design, setting out to create an experience that would be unique to Aotearoa but also push the boundaries of what a science and technology centre could be.

 

“We wanted visitors to be comfortable but also create spaces that keep them guessing as they move through,” Scott explains. “The space is broken up into three main large areas with additional classrooms and breakout zones. Te Tumu is dedicated to under-fives and caregivers, Te Puku is the main immersive exhibition, and then there’s the lower level that caters to workshops, school groups, and events. Each space has quite a different look, feel, and interaction style for the visitors. Interior architecture and colour play a huge part in the exhibition, including the projection and custom light elements.”

 

Having worked with Autex Acoustics® on previous projects, Scott knew they would be able to deliver on acoustics that met the space’s technical and aesthetic requirements.

 

“We wanted a product that was robust and elegantly fabricated with high-performance acoustics but also complimentary to our exhibition design colour palette,” Scott says. “At times we wanted the acoustic treatment to be the star of the show, especially in the exterior window display and the little kids’ space, but in the main space it was more about letting it blend into the architecture, allowing projection or lighting to be the hero.”

 

Breaking away from primary colours and palettes typically found in early childhood environments, Scott and MOTAT’s Design Manager, Jess Gommers, took inspiration from nature — looking to areas around MOTAT and Western Springs in particular.

 

“We knew from the start that we wanted to be playful with colour on all fronts, whether it was on the floor, paint treatments, or on the ceiling where Autex Acoustics was used to both disguise existing architecture but also link to native flora and our storytelling narrative.”