Shedd’s new yellow submarine big audience hit

The Shedd Aquarium’s new Polar Play Zone, the aquarium’s first permanent exhibit for kids, has received rave reviews from both kids and adults alike. One of the most popular components is the one Chicago Scenic created – the bright yellow submarine.

Located in the Polar Play Zone’s Icy North section, the 20-foot-long, nine-foot-diameter submarine resembles an actual research submarine (although bigger) and features a seven-foot spherical Plexiglas windshield, offering a clear view of the ocean’s depths.

Inside the submarine, visitors can operate various interactives: a variable speed propeller, depth gauge, periscope, and a 3-axis electro-mechanical arm which visitors can use to collect ocean specimens. Visitors can also use knobs, switches and cranks to operate lights, signals and a two-way talk tube.
Creating the submarine was a labor-intensive project which began about six months ago, in January 2009, when the Shedd’s designer, Chad Tyler, presented Chicago Scenic with conceptual designs, source materials, and a nine inch clay model.

There were four CSSI employees who consistently worked on the project throughout: Kevin Taylor, project specialist, and carpenters Steve Hemphill, Alan Gugel, and Ben Moren. Although the project was labor intensive, Hemphill said a larger team wasn’t feasible because the sub’s interior was just 36 square feet - cramped quarters for more than two people working concurrently.

Based on the model that the Shedd provided, Chicago Scenic’s team developed a plan for building the submarine, starting with a plywood skeleton. A layer of screening over the plywood provided a surface for the sprayed foam to adhere to and establish the submarine’s outer shell.

Once the foam was applied, the team spent weeks carving, shaping and smoothing the outer surface to create the submarine’s recognizable form. On top of the foam, they applied a hardcoat finish which was sanded to create a smooth and flawless exterior. Painters then sealed the exterior with a catalyzed high-end automotive finish which gives the submarine its shiny coat – a real crowd pleaser.

Since the submarine is part of the Shedd’s permanent exhibit, it was built for durability in order to withstand the prodding and poking from thousands of curious visitors over the next 30 years or so, Hemphill added.

CSSI managed the consulting team for Shedd’s Oceanarium project

When the Shedd Aquarium’s Oceanarium reopened in May, much of the behind-the-scenes work was the result of 18 months of work performed by a number of specialized consultants. Chicago Scenic acted as the managing consultant for the Oceanarium Theatre Systems, ensuring that scheduling, budgeting and coordination of each consultant’s aspect was seamless and successful with all the team members.

Working with Shedd Project Manager Tynnetta Qaiyim, Ross Hamilton, senior project manager for CSSI, headed up the project and remembers that even at the Request for Proposal stage, Shedd personnel described this project as a “unique and unorthodox theatrical environment”.

The space, for example, is designed as a habitat for marine mammals in the Pacific Northwest – but it’s located in the Midwest and situated on a fresh water lake. The stage is actually a 3,000,000 gallon salt water pool. Designing systems for a salt water environment created its own set of unique challenges, Hamilton said, because decisions regarding equipment and infrastructure were driven by the corrosive effect that salt water has on materials, finishes, and electrical equipment.

One of the biggest challenges facing the team, however, was the aquarium’s mandate that in the process of transforming the visitor experience, the aquarium’s environment remain intact and unchanged. “Unless you were part of the project,” Hamilton says, “it would be difficult to see that this presentation space is much different, even though we are now able to offer significantly different performance options.”

There were many vendor partners responsible for the Oceanarium’s transformation, including Lightswitch Architectural, the lighting designer; Thresholds Acoustics LLC, the acoustical consultant; and JPL Design & Production, the audio system designer. Other partners included Show Department, the video and projection consultant, and The Chicago Flyhouse Inc., which created and supplied the room-transforming curtain systems, tracks and rigging. Walsh Construction served as the general contractor; Block Electric was the electrical contractor; MSA provided mechanical services; Roscor provided audio and video projection systems and ILC supplied lighting systems and equipment. VDTA was the project architect and Thorton Tomasetti was the structural engineering firm.

Hamilton stresses that because each partner is a leader in their specific field, the project - while challenging - was never insurmountable. “Each firm was accustomed to working in a show environment and working with other specialists toward a common goal. When it was time to begin the project, everyone was able to work independently yet respect each other’s disciplines throughout the process.”

Interactive panels enhance enjoyment and learning at Notebaert Nature Museum’s Birdwalk

City dwellers looking for a peaceful perch from which to view local birds will be rewarded by a visit to “Birdwalk”, a new area opened this summer at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Chicago Scenic Senior Project Manager Ken Zommer and CSSI designers worked with Notebaert’s design staff, led by Alvaro Ramos, director of Exhibits & Design, to create the new, treetop-level sanctuary. Planter boxes overflowing with summer flowers and wooden benches sourced by CSSI’s design team line the path that winds through the third floor Birdwalk environment.

CSSI designed, built and installed the seven glass and graphic panels which educate and inform visitors. Two of the panels introduce and welcome Birdwalk visitors and outline the Museum’s “Green Roof” initiatives. Five other graphic panels feature colorful photos of birds that visitors are likely to see from Notebaert’s vantage point, from Great Blue Herons to Brown Creepers and Peregrine Falcons. The interactive graphic panels allow visitors to push a button next to a bird and hear its unique call.

“The Design Team’s objective was to make this elevated area a more welcoming environment to visitors and they succeeded,” Zommer said. “The area is near the Park’s lagoon and surrounded by mature trees, and provides visitors with a restful area to enjoy their surroundings.” The Museum’s most recent addition of binocular stands lets bird enthusiasts get an up-close view of birds nearby.

“Lincoln’s Vision” new temporary exhibit in Freedom Museum’s Cantigny Park location

Chicago Scenic continues its relationship with the McCormick Freedom Museum by recently building and installing “Lincoln’s Vision”, a new temporary exhibit. Since the Freedom Museum closed its Michigan Avenue doors this Spring, “Lincoln’s Vision” was installed at the First Division Museum, located at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

The exhibit consists of five brightly colored, interactive units that address poignant current questions such as, “At what cost do we protect the nation from its enemies”, and “Whose civil rights are guaranteed by the Constitution?”

Brian Stockmaster was the project manager for “Lincoln’s Vision” and worked with Nathan Richie, the Freedom Museum’s director of exhibits and programs, to oversee the project. The PRD Group Ltd., a Chantilly, Virginia-based museum planning firm, designed the exhibit.

Brian organized the shop team which built the walls and installed the interactives, managed the graphic production and coordinated the on-site installation. “This project’s biggest challenge was its quick turnaround,” Brian said. “We had about three weeks to complete this project. Although we could have used more time, this was a firm deadline because the museum had engaged a prominent speaker for the Exhibit’s opening reception.”

In the future, The McCormick Freedom Museum intends to package and promote “Lincoln’s Vision” as a traveling exhibit.