TRP TrailX vC MdRs X
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PROJECT PROFILE 16 01 Page 1 Chris Au 604 961 3472 [email protected] Tynehead Regional Park Perimeter Trail Interpretive Exhibit CLIENT Metro Vancouver Regional Parks is a system of more than 20 greenspaces (parks, greenways, ecological reserves, etc.) throughout Metro Vancouver (GVRD). PROJECT Tynehead Regional Park — in Surrey, BC — opened a new section of parkland to the public with a five kilometre perimeter trail in an area rich in natural and human history. A series of nine sites along the trail interpret the core theme of “Share the Trail” — an invocation to include the many plants and animals in the park. This design/build project was a joint venture lead by Three Dimensional Services Inc., with Didax Design Group Inc, and Artcraft Display Graphics Inc. As Didax Design’s creative director, Chris Au provided the interpretive and production design. OBJECTIVE This project represented an opportunity to develop contextually responsive and visitor engaging themed experiences for different levels of interaction. The displays were designed to delight, surprise and reveal. But most of all, to help connect trail users to their surroundings. AUDIENCE The paved trail is accessible to all ages, abilities, and users; such as walkers, runners, cyclists, bladers, boarders, wheelchair users, etc. Though open to all, most users would be area residents. CHALLENGES The client group wanted to deliver an interpretive experience with more than the standard text/image panel approach. An initial interpretive design concept had been developed (by others) that was an ambitious undertaking but with a limited budget. Our challenge was to respect the spirit of the concepts but design and build the displays within the fixed fiscal parameters. The displays provide different levels of engagement for trail users: visual, tactile, physical, and thought provoking. Interactive displays include an over-scaled vole tunnel, a weed wrench, and flip-book Share the Trail
Transcript of TRP TrailX vC MdRs X
PROJECT PROFILE
16 01
Page 1
Chr is Au
604 961 3472
Chr is .Au@DidaxDes ign .com
Tynehead Regional Park Perimeter Trail Interpretive ExhibitC L I E N T Metro Vancouver Regional Parks is a system of more than 20 greenspaces (parks, greenways, ecological
reserves, etc.) throughout Metro Vancouver (GVRD).
PROJECT Tynehead Regional Park — in Surrey, BC — opened a new section of parkland to the public with a five kilometre perimeter trail in an area rich in natural and human history. A series of nine sites along the trail interpret the core theme of “Share the Trail” — an invocation to include the many plants and animals in the park. This design/build project was a joint venture lead by Three Dimensional Services Inc., with Didax Design Group Inc, and Artcraft Display Graphics Inc. As Didax Design’s creative director, Chris Au provided the interpretive and production design.
O B J E C T I V E This project represented an opportunity to develop contextually responsive and visitor engaging themed experiences for different levels of interaction. The displays were designed to delight, surprise and reveal. But most of all, to help connect trail users to their surroundings.
A U D I E N C E The paved trail is accessible to all ages, abilities, and users; such as walkers, runners, cyclists, bladers, boarders, wheelchair users, etc. Though open to all, most users would be area residents.
C H A L L E N G E S The client group wanted to deliver an interpretive experience with more than the standard text /image panel approach. An initial interpretive design concept had been developed (by others) that was an ambitious undertaking but with a limited budget. Our challenge was to respect the spirit of the concepts
but design and build the displays within the fixed fiscal parameters.
The displays provide different levels of
engagement for trail users: visual, tactile,
physical, and thought provoking. Interactive
displays include an over-scaled vole tunnel,
a weed wrench, and flip-book
Share the Trail
PROJECT PROFILE
16 01
Page 2
Chr is Au
604 961 3472
Chr is .Au@DidaxDes ign .com
Tynehead Regional Park Perimeter Trail Interpretive Exhibit
A P P R O A C H Together with the client, we pared down the initial number of displays, but maintained the quality and robustness required for exterior exhibitry. Interpretively, we evoked strong images of times past as well as present-day natural inhabitants of the area. We introduced industrial and innovative techniques for the fabrication of displays. Digitally imaged polycarbonate panels and welded steel were combined with natural materials such as rocks and logs in sculptural forms. The weather-resistant polycarbonate panels were used throughout for benches and display graphics. Translucent versions were effectively used to integrate messages with the natural surroundings.
O U T C O M E S The public reception has been very positive; comments range from, “I didn't know that,” to “hey, that’s really cool.” The more prominent displays entice trail users with engaging experiences, while the more
obscure displays delight trail users with their surprise discovery. Since the trail opening, many have come to enjoy the trail on their own terms.
