The Computer History Museum (CHM) is a prestigious center in Mountain View, CA dedicated to the preservation and exploration of computing and its ongoing impact on society. Founded by visionary leaders—BIll Gates and Steve Wozniak to name a few—CHM has undergone several recent renovations. After previously working on CHM’s renovation in 2012, we were very pleased to be brought back to assist with the creation of the Learning Lab, a new educational center. The Learning Lab offers a more curated environment for students, with a full schedule of events, lectures, and educational programs.
As the CHM struggled with an increasing high-volume of student traffic and field trips, the Learning Lab expansion emerged as a much-needed solution. The Learning Lab serves as a classroom, exhibit, and meeting place all in one. We wanted to imbue this new center with the qualities of wonder and exploration the museum is known for. As students arrive to tour the museum, the lobby lighting immediately welcomes them into the space with playful lighting fixtures. Inside the adjacent lecture hall, geometric cloud-shaped panels convex and concave with light streaming through to illuminate the classroom. Despite its bright appearance, the classroom also offers full dimming capabilities for presentations and projected media. The lecture hall’s flexible seating includes small artifact cubbies showcasing different pieces of technology. We lit these cubbies from within, drawing students in for an up-close view.
Beyond this classroom space, there are multiple exhibits and spaces for interactive exploration of the computer’s history. We played on the theatricality of museum lighting, continuing the lobby’s energized feeling with faceted teardrop fixtures that complement the geometric cloud panels in the lecture hall. The adaptable museum lighting throughout was designed to complement any future installation and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Our relationship with the Computer History Museum gave us a strong sense of direction for the new Learning Lab expansion. Because of this shared history and established communication, we were able to expertly meet the needs of the CHM and create an invaluable resource for students and schools. The final design for the CHM provides a wonderful atmosphere for visiting students, inspiring creativity and curiosity. And ultimately, this is exactly what CHM is—not just a place for artifacts, but rather a launch pad for the future.
Ethan Kaplan Photography
