New Interpretive center in Idaho opens
The opening of the new Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Falconry Heritage Wing at The Archives of Falconry marks the realization of a vision developed through months of collaborative design. The Archives of Falconry, the only institution in the world dedicated solely to collecting and preserving the history of world falconry, wanted to exhibit and expand its collections of Arab-related falconry materials and provide a powerful visitor experience focused on falconry's Arabian legacy. Through its friendship with the Emirates Falconers' Club in the United Arab Emirates, The Archives had the opportunity to add a new exhibit wing.
The design team of AldrichPears Associates, with North Shore Productions and Pacific Studio, worked in close collaboration with Kent Carnie, curator of The Archives of Falconry, and Hanan Sayed Worrell, project manager in the United Arab Emirates, to identify strategies for creating a memorable, high quality, visually engaging exhibition that introduces the long history and cultural importance of Arabian falconry to an American audience and illustrates the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the late President of the United Arab Emirates, a visionary leader in the field of conservation.
In order to achieve these goals effectively and appropriately, the exhibit design team considered a few factors unique to this project. The nature of the institution demanded a design approach that would complement the calm, scholarly atmosphere of The Archives. The audience was also a consideration - visitors to The Archives are predominantly adult and well-educated, with specialized knowledge of and interest in falconry. A third consideration was the need to showcase a large Arab majlis tent, previously donated to The Archives by the Emirates Falconers' Club.
Our design strategies
The design team used a number of strategies in designing the exhibit.
Treat the tent as an icon
The large majlis tent is the largest and most striking item in the exhibit. Heavy goat-hair tents like this one protected the nomadic Bedu from the wind, sand, heat and cold of the harsh desert climate. The Bedu were intuitive and expert falconers who hunted for food and sport, so we decided to embrace the tent as a central icon and use it to provide a backdrop to the story of the social context of falconry and its unbroken tradition for the people of the Arabian Peninsula.
Develop themes to focus the story
Identifying the themes to be explored in the exhibit helped us to create a conceptual framework. The overarching theme was: Falconers of the Arabian Peninsula developed a tradition of falconry that fit their unique lifestyle and desert environment.
Transport visitors to the desert
The desert tent is an immersive environment - it evokes the atmosphere and lifestyle of dwellers of the Arabian desert in the 1930s. Inside the tent, visitors may rest on woven cushions and listen to traditional music. Lifelike sculpted figures are clustered around a fire, drinking coffee, surrounded by real artifacts used by Arabian desert nomads.
Use a variety of media to engage and delight
The visitor experience is layered and multi-sensory. Audio, video, graphics, artifacts, immersive environments and artwork have been combined to communicate moods as well as messages. Layering also provides opportunities to present big-picture stories as well as technical details of interest to avid falconers.
Present an elegant and refined aesthetic
Rich complementary colors, clean-lined shapes and subtle textures were selected to work together harmoniously, creating a dignified and graceful environment.
Use Arabian iconography, but sparingly
Understated Arabian elements - window shapes, carved wooden mashrabiah panels, plaster wall finishes that give an impression of an oasis town - create an Arabian atmosphere without overpowering the space.
Showcase strong imagery
A large photographic mural of the Arabian desert and powerful images of hunters and falcons on graphic panels and in video presentations give visitors a strong visual sense of what it is like to hunt in the Arabian desert.
Define each exhibit area with a color palette
This strategy enhances the message of each exhibit area (Orientation, Sheikh Zayed, Bedu: People of the Desert, Arabian Falconry and Conservation) without words.
Conclusion
By applying these strategies and developing innovative solutions in close collaboration with international clients, the design team headed by AldrichPears Associates successfully created a clear, engaging and memorable exhibit about the legacy of Arabian falconry. APA is proud of the final design that presents the Arabian falconry heritage clearly, evocatively and respectfully.
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