As part of the team designing the new National Children's Museum, led by Amaze Design, Sari traveled with members of the Amaze staff
for a inspirational visit to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. And what an inspiration it was. Just a couple of months earlier,
our friend Aaron Goldblatt had remarked that he thought this museum was a model for the future of children's museums,
and we have to agree.
The exhibits are truly visitor-directed and encourage a huge range of open-ended play opportunities.
The exhibit design is beautiful and thoughtful. Several elements, including an outdoor water play area
and the perimeter fence, are created from salvaged construction materials. A nursing alcove in the toddler
gallery is partly screened in by a large stained glass window.
The top floor water play area is simply and smartly designed, with boats to assemble for the water ponds and an area for
creating water fountains. An enormous budget was set aside to commission original art work and it shows.
The museum incorporated the work of artists throughout the exhibits, both hi-tech and low-tech. And an
arrangement with the nearby Andy Warhol museum lets the museum display borrowed prints, including ones
with kid-friendly themes (Mickey Mouse!) in the toddler gallery. To top it off, the graphic design is bold and playful.
If you happen to find yourself in Pittsburgh we highly recommend you visit this remarkable children's museum,
now on our list of favorite museums.
