1 Helen and Newton Harrison: CA Work, Urban Ecologies
Gallery Exhibit
1,800 SF
Exhibition involved collaborating with art curator to design the spatial layout and visitor experience at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage in La Jolla, California. Developed plan sets that organized circulation, artwork placement, signage, and lighting to translate environmental research and large-format visual narratives into a clear, engaging gallery experience while respecting the historic character of the space. The exhibition was presented as part of Pacific Standard Time: Art & Science Collide, a Getty-led regional initiative connecting art, science, and culture across Southern California institutions.
Project Goals
Working within the constraints of a historic cottage setting, the design utilized the existing architecture, and available lighting and display systems without structural modification.
The spatial strategy addressed the organization of varied media types including maps, graphic panels, textbased content, and multimedia elements, while establishing a clear circulation path and narrative sequence to guide visitors through the exhibition’s ecological themes and story.
Project Approach
Exhibition design relied on careful layout planning, elevation studies, and placement strategy. Movable museum wall systems and detailed elevations were used to test heights, proportions, and sightlines Circulation, signage, and targeted lighting adjustments were coordinated to support intuitive wayfinding and emphasize key works while respecting the spatial and historic constraints of the setting.
Elevation study and corresponding opening night installation view, demonstrating translation from planned artwork layout to realized visitor experience
Exhibition circulation and egress diagram illustrating visitor flow, artwork sequencing, and spatial navigation.
Planter layout study and corresponding outdoor citrus orchard, part of the exhibition setting and reflective of the Harrison’s ecological focus on landscape and environmental systems.
Rendering illustrating planned artwork arrangement, lighting, and viewing conditions, paired with opening night of the exhibition, showing visitor engagement with large-scale environmental works within the historic cottage gallery setting (opposite wall of rendering).
Rendering and corresponding opening night installation view, demonstrating translation from planned artwork composition and lighting to realized visitor experience.
Gallery rendering and opening night views, illustrating overall exhibition layout, circulation, and visitor engagement within the historic cottage setting.
