10/30/09

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

10 comments:

Oliver Weiss said...

heidi - this is simply wonderful! you did an outstanding job there - i'm eating my heart out at how lovely it is! congratulations on this wonderful project!!!

Peter Fasolino said...

Excellent illustration Heidi.

heidi Younger Illustration said...

Thanks guys

Sandy Feinberg said...

Heidi
On behalf of the myself and the library staff, we want to express our deep appreciation for your beautifully illustrated rendition of our Nature Explorium. The colors and figures bring to life what we hope will be happening in the space, starting next spring. Welcome to the Middle Country Library family. Sandy

Jackson Wandres said...

Heidi, we've never met but I just wanted to say that your illustrations are beautiful and are the perfect accompaniment to our design for the Explorium.
-Jacskon Wandres
Director, Landscape Architecure
The RBA Group - Explorium Designers

Unknown said...

Heidi,
Your illustration is so beautiful. You took everything that we envisioned and put it into a beautiful picture. Congratulations.
Susanne Boyle
Landscape Architect, The RBA Group

Cally Johnson-Isaacs said...

I love your work! Brill :)

heidi Younger Illustration said...

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I want to thank Michael Conte and Deirdre Gilligan from Syntax, also Paul D'Amico from penpixel design.
Cheers everyone!

Stephen Gardner said...

Nice one Heidi.

Stephen Gardner said...

Nice one Heidi.