Rose Center for Earth and Space, American Museum of Natural History
New York, New York
The Rose Center for Earth and Space is an iconic international hub for the study of astronomy and earth sciences for researchers and the general public alike.
RAA was asked to design a new visitor journey for the redeveloped Center, one that would take them from the outer reaches of space to the inner workings of Earth. The design process involved extensive collaboration with the museum’s scientists and educators as well as the building architect. The building is a learning tool and a visible expression of the science it contains. The Center’s components—the Planetarium, Scales of the Universe exhibits, Big Bang Theater, Spiral Through Cosmic Evolution, and the Hall of the Universe—are structured in a sequential narrative that facilitates recall.
Sound effects, audio narration, and background effects support an array of exhibition techniques: interactive and participatory media, mini-theaters, custom 3-D visualizations, the world’s largest terrarium, and the Center’s largest artifact: the fifteen-and-a-half-ton Willamette Meteorite – so heavy the building was constructed around it.
Visitors receive up-to-date information through hands-on exhibits. Scholarly curation, media, real-time feeds, images, kinetic models, and advanced computer graphics illustrate astrophysics, astronomy, and earth science for an audience of all ages and backgrounds.
Opened in 2000, the Rose Center’s startling glass-cube exterior, the enormous Hayden Sphere visible within it, is one of New York City’s architectural icons, as well as one of the city’s premier tourist attractions.
Size 23,000 square feet
Year 2000
Architect Ennead Architects (Formerly Polshek Partnership Architects)
Project Details
Construction ManagerMorse Diesel International
Structural EngineerWeidlinger Associates, Inc.
MEP EngineerAltieri Sebor Weiber
Architect of Record (Exhibitions)Perkins Eastman Architects
Audio Visual ConsultantElectrosonic Systems, Inc.
LightingL’Observatoire International; Fisher Marantz Renfro Stone
AcousticsBerlin Acoustics; Shen Milsom & Wilke, Inc.
Glass ConsultantsR.A. Heintges
Exhibition FabricationExhibit Group Giltspur
Kinetic, Static and Living ModelsNed Kahn Studios; Polich Art Works; Research Casting International; Showman Fabricators Inc.; Hoberman Associates, Inc.; Ecosphere Associates
Multimedia Theater Engineering and ProductionAudio Visual Imagineering; My Design
Satellite Projection DishesEsperanto Inc.
Floating Images Production:Floating Images, Inc.
Video and Interactive Media ProductionFunny Garbage; Cuscuna Multimedia Inc.; Ballentyne Brumble Communications; American Museum of Natural History; RAA;
Mosaic FloorBisazza
Mechanical/Electrical EngineerAltieri Sebor Weiber
Audio Visual ConsultantElectrosonic Systems, Inc.
Security ConsultantSako and Associates, Inc.
SpecificationsRobert Schwartz and Associates
Sound EngineeringMagian Design Studio
Large-Scale Fiberglas CastingsResearch Casting International;
Rock Cutting, Polishing and MountingJohnson Atelier; Valley Marble and Slate Corporation
Earth Globe Model and Rock MountingPolich Art Works
Mountain Building Sand ModelInstitut de Physique du Globe de Paris
Mothra Vent Site Model BBC Design Group
Earth Section ModelsShowman Fabricators Inc
Kinetic ModelsLester Associates, Inc.
IllustratorsMark Sweeney; Cindy Poorbaugh
Ice Core Refrigerated CaseHarris Environmental Systems
Interactive Media ProducersBallentyne Brumble Communications; Digit New Media
Film and Video ProductionsDennis Earl Moore Productions, Inc.; WGBH/NOVA
Hemispherical Video ProductionArc Science Simulations
Soundscape ProductionCharles Morrow Associates, Inc.
AwardsCeramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition | Assopiastrelle: Winner, Special Award – Mosaic Design and InstallationThe International Design Magazine (I.D.) Annual Design Review: Honorable Mention, EnvironmentsIndustrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), International Design Excellence Award (IDEA): Gold, EnviromentsSEGD Global Design Award: Merit Award, Exhibition Design/Museum EnvironmentsADC: Art Directors Club Award: Distinctive Merit
“I love the balance between science and history.”
—Harold P.
“An inspirational place for science lovers.”
—Jagadeesh R.
“Houses everything you need to know about the Universe, the Earth, and life on Earth. Basically your school textbook come to life.”
—Haryax P.
“Amazing view of the large structure of the universe.”
@bedecarroll
“A great mix of fun and learning.”
—Z M
“Walking through history.”
@kanabrx
“An enjoyable and precious experience.”
@selena_jung_