As part of its first major renovation since 1967, the Adler Planetarium partnered with Fabric Images, Inc., to engineer and construct a tensioned fabric space portal and gallery area for its new “Deep Space Adventure” exhibit. Located within the Clark Family Welcome Gallery and entryway, a futuristic, intelligently-illuminated tensioned fabric environment took form that introduces visitors into the Grainger Sky Theater. When opened to the public in July 2011, the experience was proclaimed as being “second only to actual space travel,” as it takes visitors on a tour of the universe.
Due to the age of the Adler Planetarium building and its historical nature, a unique challenge was presented. The architecture could not attach to or alter the building itself in any way. The fabric architecture that would re-define the “Deep Space Adventure” exhibit was required to be self-supporting while also encapsulating all of the HVAC, electrical and projection equipment.
Projecting onto the surface of the fabric creates a multimedia experience for attendees. Planetarium visitors are able to interact with the exhibit via multimedia presentations given by contemporary space explorers in a dynamic environment of light, sound, and fluid architecture. “Fabric is an ideal material and solution for dressing an environment with personality and uniqueness. Adler’s newest experience captures this point in dramatic fashion,” said Leo Boczar, Director of Communications for FI. “The use of fabric architecture in permanent installations, like the Deep Space Adventure, is becoming more common, thus elevating fabric architecture as a viable construction methodology in interior design and interactive experiences.”
Vivid images of planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects are shown in the highest resolution and quality possible to evoke the feeling of being in deep space. The on-screen imagery expands beyond the traditional 180-degree dome and surrounds the visitors. Special lighting effects in the floor complete the 360-degree experience.
To accommodate for the multimedia projections and interactive experiences, fabric selection was a critical aspect of the project. Along with this, other factors had to be considered….
- The experience would be in place for a minimum of ten years.
- Traffic and interaction with the architecture would be high.
As a result of these factors, fabric had to be durable, offer a good projection surface and have the ability to enhance the internal backlighting and surface front lighting. Overall, the fabric would act as the canvas for the success of the overall experience.
In light of the complexities of the build, structural frame and fabric was the most viable architectural solution to capture the Adler vision. The construction and installation methodology behind a fabric architecture solution would leave zero impact to the overall Adler Planetarium building once the exhibition is cycled out, and a new experience is created.
When all said and done, approximately 13,000 linear feet of aluminum tubing and 20,000 square yards of fabric were utilized to create the experience.
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Client: Adler Planetarium
Designer/Architect: Thomas Roszak Architecture
Fabrication: Fabric Images, Inc.
Installation: Fabric Images, Inc.
Fabric Images, Inc. is a premier manufacturer of printed and non-printed tension fabric architecture and material solutions. Our focus is on integrating structural frame and textiles into environments to enrich brand quality and the expressive identity of a space.
Fabric Images, Inc. is a premier manufacturer of printed and non-printed tension fabric architecture and material solutions. Our focus is on integrating structural frame and textiles into environments to enrich brand quality and the expressive identity of a space.