Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
Hutchinson, Kansas
Role: Museum Planner & Conceptual Designer for
Comprehensive Museum Revitalization Plan
Program: Renovated existing exhibits, new
educational interactive and participatory exhibits,
new Entrance with a signature canopy, newly
defined free/paid zones, renovated Space Camp,
new Introductory Gallery, new Temporary Gallery,
new Kids Discovery Room, new Current & Future
Technology Gallery, and new Science Now area.
Building Area: Phase One: 105,000 sf renovation
plus expansion.
Status: Beginning Architectural phase.
Description: The existing Cosmosphere museum
houses the world’s second largest U.S. space artifact
collection (second only to the Smithsonian National
Air and Space Museum) and the largest collection
of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. In
recent years, the institution was seeing the effects
of an economic recession, a waning interest in space
exploration history, and a loyal supporter base that
was aging out. In 2013, VJI was commissioned to
develop a comprehensive Museum Revitalization
Plan for their long-term sustainability and future.
VernerJohnson developed an new exciting and
economic viability vision that included institutional,
physical,
operational
and
implementation
recommendations. VJI determined that the
institution should not significantly expand their
physical facility (at least initially), but rather pursue a
rebranding that increased the institution’s national
and international visibility and broadened it’s
mission, programs, and visitor experiences. Against
the backdrop of a world-class collection of artifacts
and space science exhibits, the proposed new
focus would extend beyond just space history to
include informal learning opportunities in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
By reorganizing and consolidating the public
circulation areas within the museum, VJI was able
to make better use of underutilized and inefficient
space, transforming them into new and improved
exhibition, public program and support areas. This
is a highly cost effective approach that significantly
enhanced Cosmosphere’s long-term financial
sustainability. New current, relevant, constantly
changing displays will educate visitors about what
is happening right now in the world of space
exploration, and the insertion of dedicated areas
within the museum that offer updated, relevant,
immersive, and interactive experiences for visitors
(of all ages) will encourage return visits.
Ve r n e r J o h n s o n
BEFORE
BEFORE
MUSEUM ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS
BEFORE
STOR
MAIN
ENTRY
ENTRANCE
CANOPY
LUNAR
MODULE
APOLLOSOYUZ
STOR
TICKET
MACHINES
VEST./
GREETER
APOLLO
MECH
APOLLO
THEATER
SUMP
2,600 SQ.FT.
TEMPORARY
GALLERY
SYS-STEM
CONTROL
ROOM
EARLY
SPACE
GALLERY
FOOD SERVICE
T
PEEK THRU
WINDOWS
TIX
PUSHING THE
ENVELOPE
OPERABLE
GLASS WALL
BOARD
ROOM
LEARN-AR
MODULES
T
OPEN TO BELOW
CURRENT &
FUTURE
TECHNOLOGY
GALLERY
FIRE
SHUTTER
T
OPEN TO BELOW
MECH
BANNERS
FIRE
SHUTTER
KENNEDY
CATERING
SHUTTLE
INFO
WALL
T
FOOD
SERVICE/
STORAGE
COLD WAR
VIDEO
DISPLAY
ORIENTATION
VIDEO
TIMELINE
GALLERY
MISSION AVIATION
CONTROL TRAINING
EXIT
FROM
BELOW
T
CASH
GRAPHIC
WALL
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
OPEN TO
BELOW
FOOD SERVICE
T
SYS-STEM
CONTROL
ROOM
CEO
OFFICE
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
OPEN
MECH
STEM
CLASSROOM
FALCON
SHUTTLE
LOBBY
MEZZANINE
STOR
SCIENCE
NOW
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
AND CAMP KAOS
DISPLAY/ INFORMATION
IT
GIFT STORE
FREE ZONE
CAMP KAOS
CAMP KAOS
LOOK-IN
MULTIPURPOSE
ROOM
EDUCATION OFFICES
GODDARD'S
LAB
MECHANICAL
LOWER LOBBY
GRAPHIC
WALL
INVESTIGATE SPACE
GLASS
WALL
LAB
CONCESSIONS
TITAN
EXHIBIT
Frutiger LT Std 11 pt
STORAGE
MECHANICAL
BREAK ROOM
SHIPPING/
RECEIVING
ARTIFACTS/ COLLECTIONS
GERMAN GALLERY
PLANETARIUM
MAINT
OFF
MUSEUM LEVEL PLAN: PROPOSED
0'
10'
Verner Johnson
20'
40'
60'
MUSEUM ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS
BEFORE
Ve r n e r J o h n s o n
MUSEUM ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS
ATLANTIS
CLASSROOM
Frutiger LT Std 11 pt
KIDS
DISCOVERY
ROOM
DIGITAL
THEATER
DIGITAL
THEATER
Frutiger LT Std 11 pt
UPPER
PLANETARIUM
BEHIND DOME
BEHIND DOME
FIRST FLOOR PLAN: PROPOSED
0'
10'
Verner Johnson
20'
40'
SECOND FLOOR PLAN: PROPOSED
60'
MUSEUM ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS
0'
10'
Verner Johnson
20'
40'
60'
MUSEUM ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS