What goes into designing a captivating museum? This term, Fay’s Advanced Design Portfolio students explored that question. Working in teams, they tackled the challenge of museum design from the ground up and presented their final designs to a panel of judges. Each group chose a unique theme for their museum, ranging from candy to the art of illusion and the formation of memories. They researched their topic, thinking deeply about how a visitor would be informed and entertained by different spaces, and then brought their ideas to life through a presentation of their research and design process, detailed architectural models, and carefully curated exhibits.

Students began the project by researching real-world museums to analyze their architectural design elements, presenting their key takeaways to the class. Through this exercise, they discovered that because museums serve a highly specific purpose, to preserve and showcase information, they present unique design challenges and creative opportunities. A museum’s exterior architecture, for instance, often acts as a visual preview that physically reflects the subject matter it holds. Inside, the layout is rarely just a space to display objects; instead, it is designed to tell a cohesive narrative, guiding visitors on an intentional, curated journey through the exhibits.

During their final presentations, each team showcased a comprehensive architectural model, constructed in the CC&D, that details both the exterior design and the interior layout of their museum. For example, the Museum of Candy was designed to resemble a traditional hard candy wrapper. Inside the rooms, there is a timeline of candy development, with different colors corresponding to types of treats. An elevator brings visitors to the upper floor, where they can visit a candy cafe, a kids' learning center, and a playground. For each museum, students developed at least three distinct exhibits that demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of the museum's mission and target audience. Highlighting the value of experiential learning, several teams noted in their presentations that elements of their designs were inspired by museums they had visited during their ninth grade trip to Georgia and Alabama this year.