Seed To Shedd
Partnering with the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Seed to Shedd is an outdoor area for visitors to dine, learn, and play all while connecting with the environment around them.
Contributions: research, report writing, graphics/branding
Project Goal
Utilizing the outdoor space on the aquarium’s campus, our team was tasked with creating an educational outdoor dining space that would inform visitors about the wildlife native to the Chicago area and the role they play in the ecosystem. Our goal was to create a connection between visitors and nature to convey the importance of protecting the areas we call home.
Results
The entire dining area is set alongside Lake Michigan providing views of the Chicago skyline. Dining areas are on the upper area while a fountain line the walls along the bottom half with areas for gathering.
Dine
Once seated, visitors can use tablets at their tables to access the menu.
The menu is inspired by the diet of Chicago’s wildlife animals. In order to reduce our environmental impact and to promote local businesses, the menu is crafted using locally sourced ingredients.
Learn
The murals along the fountain and the designs on the tables depict animals native to the area and the food chain they belong in.
Each table has a unique animal design belonging to a different animal kingdom. Visitors can access more information about their animal through the menu and explore other animal tables.
Play
The tablets at the tables also include a trivia game that visitors can use to learn more about the animals and environment they see around them.
The leaderboard keeps track of points for each table so visitors can play against other tables.
Continued Engagement
After dining, visitors receive a pin that serves as both a souvenir and a token of solidarity for Shedd's mission to preserve the environments around the Chicagoland area.
Accessibility Considerations
Following ADA guidelines, our design ensures that all members of the community can enjoy the space.
Tables:
Including square tables with four legs to allow for wheelchair access
Tops of the table should be non-slippery for someone to push themselves up on
Chairs:
Providing chairs with flat legs to prevent chairs from tipping
Providing chairs with arm rests so that someone can use them to push themselves up on
Accessible Routes:
There is an existing ramp to the patio area and pavement along fountain
Providing accessible seating at all sections of the dining area to ensure equal viewpoints for all visitors
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following groups of people for their support and guidance throughout this project:
Shedd Aquarium staff
TPED Club sponsors: Nigel Nicolas Chew, Aaron Pulvermacher, Kevin Brunner, Gillian Finnegan
My team members: Chelewynne Shuart, Nicolas Guerra, Grant Galatas