Freedom Express—CSSI Helps the Freedom Project Go Mobile

The McCormick Freedom Project (formerly The Freedom Museum) continues to evolve as its staff explores different ways of bringing its message of First Amendment rights to citizens. Chicago Scenic recently helped them do that in a new way by transforming a 40-foot Freightliner medium duty truck into a mobile experience.

Chicago Scenic Project Manager Brian Stockmaster worked with exhibit designer Gallagher & Associates and Freedom Project's Executive Director Nathan Richie to bring the mobile experience to life.

While Gallagher & the Freedom Project staff worked together on the Freedom Express content, Gallagher, the Freedom Project and Chicago Scenic worked closely together to determine how best to accommodate the content in the limited space. "We considered everything from three different viewpoints," Stockmaster said, "and kept the lines of communication open during the entire project."

Following Gallagher's final design, the Chicago Scenic team installed flooring, lighting, speakers, touch screens and computer surrounds to bring the museum exhibits to life. One of the biggest challenges, Stockmaster said, was incorporating all the Information Technology needs into the bus. The ultimate solution was custom slide out equipment racks set into the "bunk" area above the truck's cab space. Once wasted space, that area now houses 'miles' of wire, a custom breaker box, and cooling fans that dump cool air on the equipment racks to keep the sensitive equipment running smoothly.

The Freightliner model used for this museum features two four-foot by 16-foot slide-out rooms which add interior space and maximized the number of internal exhibits while maintaining a manageable traffic flow.

The project also included an extensive graphics package. Internally, that meant installation of custom exhibit graphics throughout the bus interior. Externally, that meant a whole-bus vinyl graphic wrap that makes The Freedom Express a mobile advertisement for its programs.

While the bus can run off of a building site's electricity, Chicago Scenic also installed a generator which enables the bus to be self-sufficient when necessary. Equipped with heating and cooling systems and a handicapped lift, the bus also has a collapsible stair unit that Chicago Scenic installed which conveniently slides out of sight when not in use. The bus also features external awnings and electrical outlets and speaker jacks so it can be fully operational in any environment, Stockmaster explained.

Finally, Chicago Scenic installed a robust alarm system that protects the Freedom Express wherever it may travel. The Freedom Express started its tri-state visits in May. Check the McCormick Freedom Project's new website, www.freedomproject.us, to see when it may be visiting your town.

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Legoland Desk Debuts at Woodfield Mall

Chicago's Legoland, located in Schaumburg,
Illinois' massive Woodfield Mall, was looking for a way to capture the interest of the thousands of shoppers who walk through Woodfield every day and asked Chicago Scenic to create an attention-grabbing display inside the mall.

As a result, the Woodfield Customer Service Desk now sells Legoland admission tickets and, thanks to the desk re-design, it's hard to overlook the Lego connection. The Chicago Scenic team used their CNC router to cut the iconic Lego gears and blocks. Scenic sculptors used resin and cast molds to create spirals and scenic artists used prominent primary paint colors to finish the play pieces.

Chicago Scenic's team also installed the sign that announces Legoland Ticket Sales; the sign was designed and positioned so it can be easily read, no matter what level visitors are on. Chicago Scenic's crew installed the sign and desk overnight, causing minimal disruption to mall visitors.

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Chicago Scenic Pleased to Help City of Chicago Celebrate the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Win

Chicago fans celebrated long and hard when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup Championship this year, and Chicago Scenic was pleased to be part of the celebration.

In the weeks preceding the playoff games, various Blackhawk tributes began to appear throughout the city. First, Chicago Scenic placed a Blackhawks helmet (originally constructed for the 2009 season) on the city's popular Picasso sculpture.

Soon after that, we installed a Blackhawks jersey on the brachiosaurus which stands outside the Field Museum of Natural History and overlooks Lake Shore Drive. Once the Blackhawks clinched the Western Conference Division, Chicago Scenic placed hockey helmets on the lions that guard the Art Institute's Michigan Avenue entrance.

Finally, Chicago Scenic coordinated the release of 600 pounds of black, red and white confetti that rained down on exuberant fans gathered at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive to cheer on the Blackhawks team members and their management.