Sustainable exhibit coming to KiDiMu
Published 10:25 am Sunday, July 26, 2015
Kids Discovery Museum will collaborate with Coates Design Architects to create a new interactive exhibit this summer.
KiDiMu was recently awarded a kick-off grant from the D.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Trust to build an interactive solar-powered water table for the museum’s outdoor play space. The new installation will be designed by Coates Design Architects, and will introduce the concept of sustainable engineering to young children.
Coates Design Architects is a renowned architecture firm based on Bainbridge Island that specializes in green building technology.
The firm has designed facilities for KiDiMu and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art in the past, both being LEED certified buildings.
“Some of the ideas we’re exploring utilize solar panels and other solar powered elements,” said architect Matthew Coates of Coates Design Architects. “We’re also thinking about capturing rainwater that could be incorporated into the design. Please keep in mind it’s a work in progress and we hope to involve the children to solicit their input and spirit of play.”
“We love working with Matthew,” said Susie Burdick, executive director at KiDiMu. “He is truly community-minded, creative and innovative. It helps that he’s a bit of a kid himself.”
In the fall, Coates will host brainstorming sessions for children ages 3 to 7 at KiDiMu. He plans to discuss the design process and teach the basics of solar power engineering. This will be part of a program at KiDiMu, offered for free and exclusive to museum members.
“KiDiMu is thrilled at the opportunity for children to get some interactive time with Matthew,” Burdick said. “We want them to experience ideas from conception through completion, and feel like new exhibits are theirs from the beginning. We are very thankful that the D.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Trust were able to support this project with initial funding.”
Before the exhibit’s official unveiling next year, KiDiMu will periodically reveal various parts of the installation so that museum guests can learn about the project’s progress.
Coates will share more information at KiDiMu’s 10th Anniversary Auction on Sept. 12.
