GATEWAY TO NATURE
WESTERN NATIONAL PARKS CENTER
Both a retail and an educational space, Gateway to Nature explores the ways in which nature is open to interpretation, inviting imagination, creativity, whimsy and cultural engagement.
Located within a historical park in downtown Los Angeles, this project represents the first foray into urban retail by the Western National Parks Association, the organization that manages retail operations for the National Parks Service.
Gateway to Nature encourages urban audiences to engage in new modes of park participation and advocacy. Through a holistic retail experience that expands visitors’ perceptions of outdoor exploration and highlights meaningful ways people connect with nature, in particular, their parks, forests, and public lands. To meet this aim, a dynamic and layered experience was created to engage visitors.
Photo credit: Elon Schoenholz
WESTERN NATIONAL PARKS CENTER
Both a retail and an educational space, Gateway to Nature explores the ways in which nature is open to interpretation, inviting imagination, creativity, whimsy and cultural engagement.
Located within a historical park in downtown Los Angeles, this project represents the first foray into urban retail by the Western National Parks Association, the organization that manages retail operations for the National Parks Service.
Gateway to Nature encourages urban audiences to engage in new modes of park participation and advocacy. Through a holistic retail experience that expands visitors’ perceptions of outdoor exploration and highlights meaningful ways people connect with nature, in particular, their parks, forests, and public lands. To meet this aim, a dynamic and layered experience was created to engage visitors.
Photo credit: Elon Schoenholz
Gateway to nature implores its visitors to get outdoors, uncover their own curious discoveries, and make new connections.
TACTILE EXPERIENCES
In the space, a vivid palette of color, imagery, messaging, and natural materials invoke the sense of unexpected wonder one might encounter
in a park.
On first approach, the space seems a traditional park store, but upon further exploration, it upends expectations by utilizing unconventional images, objects, and materials to illuminate the plethora of unforeseen experiences to be had in nature.
MOMENTS OF DELIGHT
Areas for hands-on activities and a large map are highlighted,
while a vivid palette of color, imagery, and messaging complete
the experience.
MEMORABLE IMAGERY
Rather than large-scale images of athletic hikers, this space showcases beautiful still life photos of one child’s rock collection, a rubbing made from a very old park gate, and a images of a mysterious object hidden in Griffith Park. Stories about history, folklore, advocacy, art making and modern explorers enliven the space and contextualize the merchandise.
FURNISHING SYSTEMS
Flexible furniture systems were designed to allow for the
coordinated display of graphics and products.
