HATFIELD MARINE SCIENCE CENTER VISITOR CENTER
PROJECT TYPE
Visitor Center 
CONSTRUCTION TYPE
Renovation/
Partial Reconstruction
SIZE 
Renovation
14,000 SF
Entrance Plaza
20,000 SF
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Newport, Oregon
Completed in 1997, our work for the Visitor Center was part of an effort to re-envision the public interface of Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC). The Visitor Center is the face of HMSC efforts to share knowledge of marine and coastal habitats. With the design intent of celebrating visitors’ learning experience, design themes incorporated shapes found in nature such as the nautilus and fractals. The nautilus-inspired entrance plaza included teaching planters that create a gentle transition path from outside to inside. Roof monitors were placed to wash the exhibit areas in natural light, drawing the visitors into the building.
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