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VC Plans

Narrabri visitor centre redevelopment

Plan for discussion

v3 - 1 September 2004


Link to majordomo discussion

This version is a list of options for displays and exhibits and their layout for phase 1 of the redevelopment of the Australia Telescope Narrabri visitors centre. It is a collection of ideas and initial analysis that have arisen from discussion among ATNF outreach staff and suggestions from ATNF staff. This comprises of:

I encourage discussion and comments to either the outreach majordomo discussion or to me. Not all displays and exhibits listed in this version will be used and the form of many that are used will no doubt change. I hope that this document will stimulate discussion and particularly new ideas.  John Smith, Visitor Centre Coordinator

The development will take place in three stages:

  • Stage 1 will be largely about the telescope and the organisation that runs it and take the area from the carpark, to the building, around the front verandah to a new viewing deck at the north-east corner of the building.

  • Stage 2 will be about astronomers and research that use the telescope and some of the other facilities on site and will be based around spectacular models of the Milky Way Galaxy and Solar System. It will encompass the large gravel areas in the north-east corner of the VC garden.

  • Stage 3 will be displays about astronomy and space built along the journey of discovery walk.

This staged approach will mean new displays will appear as early as possible. Stages 2 and 3 will be started before stage 1 is completed.

The Visitor Experience

New clearer signage directs the visitors to the centre car park.

   

Numbers in brackets refer to locations marked in the Site map (left, opens in new window) and Garden map (right, opens in new window)

From the carpark the displays and exhibits follow a natural progression clockwise around the visitors centre progressing through

Stage 1 (with some expansion in stage 3)

  • A display about RFI that reminds visitors to switch off emitters and explain why they are a problem. (E, stage 1)
  • An electromagnetic spectrum walk featuring a painted path and display panel progressing from gamma to radio sets the context for radio astronomy and reinforces RFI issues. (E1, stage 1)
  • New interpretive for Solar telescope (E2, stage 1).
  • A welcome sign briefly stating the purpose of the facility, possibly through a pithy statement such as "Our job is to explore the universe, come explore it with us." (F, stage 1)
  • Organisational type information such as Australia Telescope, ATNF, CSIRO. (F, stage 1)
  • People's telescope, with new interpretive. (G, stage 1)
  • Displays introduce the Compact Array and that astronomers use it to explore the universe by measuring radio energy and that it is operated by ATNF as a facility available to astronomers from around the world. This would progress through to those interpretives about the control building and processes around observing and getting time on the telescope. These are logically located where the control building is easily seen (T2, or alternatively R2 or F1, stage 1 possibly expanded in stage 3).
  • The control building links to a display about the 'anatomy' of the compact array noting the main components (T2 or R2, stage 1).
  • Displays about the compact Array follow along verandah from the existing entrance of the centre (R to P, stage 1 with possible expansion in stage 3) to a new viewing deck. To cater for those visitors who have a particular interest in further information a computer kiosk located in the window (Q3, stage3) could provide more detailed information and ability to print information sheets, possibly at a small charge.
  • The  raised viewing area (P) links the verandah with the gravel area. This raised viewing area provides a good view of the antennae and function of the small path in the original landscape plan.
  • The compact array displays would finish with profiles of staff who help maintain the compact array at the end of the viewing deck (P, stage 1). A barrier will prevent access from this point until stage 2 is completed.

Stage 2

  • The profiles of staff link to profiles of astronomers who use the telescope and then profiles of research using the telescope. The walk the progresses into a highlight of the visit - models of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Solar System.
  • A scale map of the Milky Way galaxy is layed out in the large  gravel area (O) using coloured gravel, boulders, concrete etc. The map will tie to displays about galactic compact array research (O1 & O3). Extra galactic research would also be displayed here, possibly tied to a model of the universe using a 3D rendering of the HIPASS using subservice laser engraving (O1).
  • The solar system model (N) is tied to displays about IPS and other facilities on site (N3) and consists of model planets in scale such that the sun would be the diameter of an antenna. The planets could be constructed of strong fibreglass or plastic and sitting at various heights on rods. A large planet like Jupiter could be partly buried thus reducing the material for its construction.
  • Artist would be consulted for concepts on the Milky Way and Solar System models to produce an aesthetically pleasing and inspiring yet relatively accurate representation.
  • The funnel shaped gravel area between N and M could host a bench, possibly constructed from an old perforated surface panel.
  • At the completion of stage 2 a complete circuit would exist.

Stage 3

  • Astronomy displays and exhibits. The choosing of the topics of these displays should be based on overlap of school curricula, Paul Wild Observatory research and public interest (M to H). These are not noted in detail in the spreadsheet though some potential exhibit ideas are. Possible subjects are:
    • Life of stars - birth, middle age and death, including models of stars with cut away to show onion layers.
    • Life of the universe - quasars, cosmology and black holes including a gravity well.
    • Scale of space - cycle across the universe, ride a bike and see how long it would take you to get to destinations in space.
    • Exhibits of curatorial nature.
  • These displays would bring you back to the People's telescope.

The displays

The displays would be low level to maintain the views of the site. To reduce material cost and add uniqueness to the centre display panels could be constructed from the old perforated surface panels. These panels could also be used as benches for seats or even tables.

The displays will be mostly illustrations and images with minimal amounts of text. Some will have as few as one sentence. The same design will be used for all panels.

The display sheet in the Excel Spreadsheet details options for many of the displays. This sheet includes:

ID: Reference number for display
Display: Name of display
Key message: Main message that the display communicates to visitor or hoped for change in behaviour.
Description: An outline of the display, the format it may take and notes on topic coverage.
Potential interactive or innovation: Possible means of making the display unique or interactive to improve it's effectiveness or make it more fun.
Could combine with: Many displays noted could be logically combined into fewer displays. This field notes the ID of similar displays that could fit together.
Leads to: Identifies ID of displays that current display would logically progress to. This should be noted when considering location.
Location: Location code referred to in either of the maps.
Impact: Importance to ATNF and its outreach aims
Cost: For considering which displays are most feasible.
Complications: Possible problems with implementation or design of display.

The exhibits

The exhibits should be intuitive to operate though they will be supported by a text panel explaining how to use them and how they relate to the work of the compact array.

Some of the displays could incorporate interactive elements that would blur the distinction between displays.

The exhibit sheet in the Excel Spreadsheet details options for some exhibits. This sheet includes:

ID: Reference number for exhibit
Display: Name of exhibit
Key message: Main message that the exhibit communicates to visitor or hoped for change in behaviour.
Description: An outline of the exhibit, the format it may take and notes on topic coverage, construction, operation.
Links to: Subjects that the exhibit links to. This should be noted when considering which displays should be located nearby.
Location: Location code referred to in either of the maps.
Impact: Importance to ATNF and its outreach aims
Cost: For considering which exhibits are most feasible.
Complications: Possible problems with implementation or design of exhibit and means for misuse, misconception etc.

The spreadsheet does not yet identify potential exhibits of a curatorial nature such as the feed horns and surface panels.

Landscaping changes

The following additions and changes to the original landscaping design are suggested:

  • Bark garden underneath EM spectrum panel at E1 so mowing around panel not needed.
  • Gravel section added at T2 to ensure viewing of panels at T2 will not obstruct path
  • Raised viewing area added at P, with verandah rail removed. This would involve either building a deck or raising the ground level with a retaining wall and a new railing to prevent access to the track.
  • Open section of railing at bin area to allow direct access to toilets along the small path.

The following landscaping is already planned and needed:

  • Improve drainage of E2 to the east.
  • Bring gravel up to an appropriate level.
  • Fill south-east corner of area with bark and wood chip.
  • Remove perforated panel from verandah.

The way forward

The immediate priority is to advance the development of displays for stage 1. The following tasks, with an indication of wether they'd be completed internally (I) or externally (E) are necessary for this: 

  • Contract designer, preferably one with a history of interactive and interpretive design who can advise on construction and material of displays and exhibits (I)
  • Design a template style for the display and exhibit interpretives (E)
  • Final exhibit and display plan confirmed (I)
  • Contract printing, construction or installation of displays and exhibits and/or determine internal resources (I)
  • Write text and locate images for priority displays (I)
  • Edit priority display text (I/E)
  • Design & layout of priority displays (E)
  • Print, construct and install priority displays (E)

As several of the displays, such as the galaxy model, are integrated with the landscaping, the landscaping can be completed once the exhibit and display plan is confirmed. To complete this phase of the redevelopment the following tasks are necessary:

  • Audit and assesment of potential curatorial exhibits (I)
  • Approach artists for concepts for Galaxy and Solar System models (I)
  • Contract landscaping or determine internal resources (I)
  • Complete landscaping (E)
  • Remove, clean or change existing external exhibits (I)
  • Write text and locate images for displays (I)
  • Edit display text (I/E)
  • Develop marketing plan (I)
  • Design & layout of displays (E)
  • Exhibit design (E)
  • Exhibit construction (E)
  • Print, construct and install displays (E)
  • Exhibit installation, prototyping and modification (E)

 

 

Original: John Smith (1- Sep-2004)