After completing a master plan in 2018 that reimagined the nearly 30-year-old maritime museum, Roto partnered with Nauticus again in November 2021 to move forward with a Design Build of the project. The new space extends the initial planning to create an enhanced guest experience that supports the organization’s mission of blending maritime education into a fun, family experience.
Highlights
- Creation of new, brand-focused entrance and lobby area
- Complete design, build of 30,000 sq.ft.
- Reimagining of exhibit galleries into five new gallery concepts
- Blending of traditional collections museum and hands-on gallery exhibits
Created as a unique blend of a history museum and a hands-on science center, Nauticus sought to redefine its guest experience with a new vision and fresh focus. Roto embraced this philosophy and literally went outside the box when they broke down the walls that had previously filled the third-floor gallery to open sight lines and create new spaces for exploration and engagement.
This same inspiration was applied to the institution’s lobby experience. A fresh, experiential entry space evoking a sense of wonder greets guests with a three-floor lobby view and brand experience. The space welcomes visitors while also establishing a content thread that takes the guest through the full Nauticus experience.
Energized by the Nauticus team’s playful spirit and Roto’s depth of capabilities, the team worked together and leaned into the Nauticus “create the wow factor” core value to create engaging opportunities for whimsy that spark interest and provoke thought within even the most serious content.
