Target Audience
Children ages 3–8, with experiences designed to support exploration, imagination, and early learning through play.
Goal
Introduce young children to what it means to connect with Tennessee through place-based, age-appropriate experiences
Translate the state’s culture, geography, and stories into spatial and interactive environments that are easy for children to understand
Support hands-on learning through exploration, play, and sensory engagement
Role
Design development of the gallery environment and interactive refinements, including early research, brainstorming, concept sketches, spatial design development, 3D visualization, specification documentation, and client presentations.
Location & Sqft:
Nashville, Tennessee — 2,849 sq ft
Overarching Concept (big picture)
To create an immersive, story-driven environment that feels like stepping into a children’s pop-up book. The gallery uses bold color, playful scale, and interactive moments to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and introduce young visitors to the culture, geography, and identity of Tennessee.
Farmers market
A hands-on play environment where children can harvest produce, plant a garden, and role-play the experience of bringing goods to market. Inspired by Tennessee’s strong local farming culture, the space introduces exchange, participation, and everyday community life through imaginative play.
Reading Nook
A quiet storytelling zone inspired by West Tennessee’s literary traditions and boating culture. Children are invited to read within a playful boat-shaped setting that combines comfort, imagination, and regional identity.
Front Desk
The front desk reuses existing graphic elements to create a welcoming entry point while maintaining visual continuity within the gallery. A clearly visible rules panel supports orientation and helps set expectations for visitors and caregivers upon arrival.
Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga Choo-Choo)
Inspired by Chattanooga’s history as a transportation hub and the landmark presence of Lookout Mountain, this interactive invites children to imagine themselves as train engineers. The experience connects regional history, movement, and play through a highly recognizable Tennessee story.!
Mississippi River/Memphis
Inspired by the front porch culture of Memphis and the nearby Mississippi River, this area is designed as a flexible stage-like environment for storytelling, puppetry, and small performances. The space supports group participation while drawing from the city’s strong musical and cultural identity.
REELFOOT LAKE EARTHQUAKE TABLE
A tactile, cause-and-effect interactive that introduces children to the story of the Reelfoot Lake earthquake. The table uses layered surfaces, simple content, and a push-button activation sequence to turn geological history into a playful and memorable learning moment.
Smoky Mountains
A mountain-inspired interactive that uses rotating graphic disks and touchable reveal surfaces to introduce children to the animals and ecology of the Smoky Mountains. The experience encourages tactile discovery while connecting wildlife learning to a recognizable Tennessee landscape.
Gray Fossil Interactive
A tactile fossil-focused experience featuring a 3D bas-relief surface alongside drawing materials that encourage observation and interpretation. Inspired by the Gray Fossil Site, the interactive invites children to connect scientific discovery with hands-on exploration.