Haley Sharpe Design Haley Sharpe Design
Credit: Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum/Jim Preston

Go for launch! National Air and Space Museum Reimagined

Working with the Smithsonian’s project leaders and curators over a seven-year engagement, hsd has been instrumental in mapping out a revitalised visitor journey through the careful design of eight newly unveiled galleries. NASM’s stunning collections are now accompanied by a dynamic mix of immersive media illustrating humankind’s quest to shape and understand the world around us. Our creative team has been honoured to work with NASM to develop a step-change in exhibit environments at the Museum, weaving curatorial excellence and iconic collections with integrated, immersive technologies, to provide new generation audiences with a unique and transformative experience.

“It has been an honour and privilege for hsd to have been the creative catalyst for the transformation of a totally new look for one of the most visited museums in North America.”

Gary Walker-Kerr, Managing Director

Highlights of the new galleries, include a sensitive redisplay of Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit from the Apollo 11 Mission which incorporates an X-ray scan of the suit revealing the scientific and conservation story behind this iconic artefact.

“It has been incredibly exciting to play a part in the redisplay of such an iconic, globally significant piece of space history…Working with the Smithsonian, the hsd team was part of a complex and detailed process to ensure world-leading conservation could be combined with innovative showcase technology, creating an evocative new display for visitors to the Museum to enjoy.”

Paul Caygill, Exhibit Designer for Destination Moon

Collaborative work amongst hsd and several media specialists produced the stunning Globe installation in the One World Connected Gallery. This dramatic ten-foot projection-mapped recreation of the Earth demonstrates our connectivity as a planet through navigation tracking and communication devices. Engaging with the experience, visitors gather around interactive kiosks positioned around the Globe, triggering data-driven visualisations revealing global phenomena such as international flight paths, human population centres and even animal migration routes.

All images © Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum/Jim Preston

Project Scope

AS WE READ YOUR BRIEF, WE SEE IDEAS, WE SKETCH IDEAS, WE EXPLORE OPTIONS AND TYPES OF MEDIA, WE DISCUSS WITH YOU AND CREATE A PROJECT VISION.