Explorium • A Nature Classroom

The finished map. it will be used as posters and brochures


The sketch

This is my first job for a public Library. Middle Country Library is building an "Explorium" which is a nature activity, educational area. Ground breaking is this fall. The Explorium will feature 13 stations designed to allow kids to interact with nature. Basically a "hands-on" outdoor nature classroom.


Detail • formal reading area

The features include Buddha boards, A nature art center, a water feature, a stage, an activity center, a willow tunnel, a building center, a formal reading garden, a vegetable growing area, a gathering area, a climbing area, a messy mulch area, an abc log balance walk... all along a red brick pathway. The client wanted an informative map that was illustrated.
I was given architectural plans and photos of the featured items and visited the site and took photos of the building and the existing trees. The project took 2 months to complete.


Detail • water feature


Middle Country Library has very special architecture


I was very impressed with the grounds of the library. These photos were taken in August when I started the project


The future entry door to the Explorium - a red circle above will be added


The entry with the buddha boards- kids draw with water


The Library has unique windows and siding that resembles fish scales


The larger circular window will have a flowering tree in front

I loved working on this project, combining my love of nature with my love of Libraries plus the challenge of happy nature loving kids. I hope that more institutions realize the importance of having kids interact directly with nature. The Explorium will be complete Spring of 2010.

Middle Country Public Library is located at : 101 Eastwood Blvd. Centereach, NY 11720 (631) 585-9393

© Heidi Younger