Exhibition Area: 10,000 square feet

Client: M. Brian Maher

Location: Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey

Completion Date: December 2008

The Port of NJ and NY played a key role in the containerization of port operations worldwide. This feasibility study and master planning on the concept of creating a visitor center and exhibition that brings this period of dramatic change and the importance of port operations to the public. A proposed center is to be located at Liberty State Park within view of the Port, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The proposed opening date is 2013.

This exhibition incorporates four themes: Water, Movement, Scale, and Memory. The port environment begins with its most elemental feature - water. Water is the physical network that connects both local and global communities and industries via shipping, and so will water be the central connection for the whole exhibition. The bustling environment and movement of goods are reflected in a design that connotes a dynamic and richly textured visual experience.

The 26-foot high ceiling makes it possible to have large-scale exhibits such as breakbulk cargo handling activities, full-body crane simulator, container ride, and a large wall of consumer product diversity.

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A quick sketch of the entrance to the exhibition: a solid mass is contained inside the building's glass exterior; visitors enter through a narrow slit as if passing between rows of cargo containers. At the end of the narrow passageway, the vista expands onto a panorama view of the port bustling with activities - the main exhibition floor.

Photo Credits: Dennis Finnin, Carol Huang & Tony Morales