FOCUS GROUP CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MUSEUM SPACESmuseum.wa.gov.au/igwefhbwefnweuhiwefgigeiwfg/20131031...

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FOCUS GROUP CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MUSEUM SPACES

Transcript of FOCUS GROUP CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MUSEUM SPACESmuseum.wa.gov.au/igwefhbwefnweuhiwefgigeiwfg/20131031...

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FOCUS GROUP CONVERSATIONS

ABOUT MUSEUM SPACES

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The State Government’s commitment to redevelop the WA Museum within the Perth Cultural Centre is an exciting opportunity to create a world class organisation that is owned by all Western Australians and admired by the world.

The New Museum project includes construction of a new building which will seamlessly integrate with the refurbished heritage buildings at the Perth Cultural Centre, as well as upgrades to the Museum’s Collection and Research Centre in Welshpool.

With a capital investment of $438.3 million, this project is one of the most significant museum redevelopments in the world today and presents an exciting opportunity for the people of WA to help shape their New Museum.

Our commitment to public engagement is absolute.

It is our vision that the New Museum is created for the people and by the people of WA and as such we have developed a Strategy for Public Engagement which outlines our intent and process for consultation, research and engagement over the life of the New Museum project.

Between May and September 2013 we held a series of focus group sessions to seek public feedback on, and input, into the front of house spaces and functions required for the New Museum.

This report summarises the key themes emerging from these sessions and provides the Museum’s response to these ideas.

BACKGROUND

‘It is our vision that the New Museum is created for the people and by the people of WA.’

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BACKGROUND

In May 2013, the Western Australian Museum engaged the consultant services of MDC Places Group to develop a community engagement program and facilitate eight (8) focus groups for the New Museum project.

The sessions were held at the WA Museum and the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People with 158 people participating in the conversation representing:

• Museum Visitors • General Public • CBD Agencies/Industry Partners • Children/Young People • Parents • Access/Inclusion Group • Aboriginal People • Museum Staff

The insights derived from these sessions will be critical to the development of the New Museum and the development of the Functional Brief that defines it.

All information provided by the focus group participants has been considered, and will continue to influence our thinking as we plan the New Museum.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the workshops and shared their thoughts, dreams and aspirations for the New Museum.

We look forward to sharing this incredible journey with you all.

‘We would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the workshops and shared their thoughts, dreams and aspirations for the New Museum.’

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TOP THEMES

from the workshop

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• The New Museum should strive for excellence and go beyond Australian standards for building codes and accessibility. It should provide universal access to world’s best practice standards. The whole Museum should be fully accessible for everyone, with limited stairs (or none), displays and exhibitions accessible for all heights (children height and people in wheelchairs) and interpretation and programs available for people who have varying requirements.

• Landscaping and building materials need to take accessibility into consideration and further consultation is required to determine world’s best practice requirements.

• Signage and way finding should be clear and easy to follow. There needs to be a clear path to the Museum from the various entry points such as the train station, major roads, carparks and drop off points.

• Accessible parking should be considered when planning the New Museum, ACROD bays available to pre-pay, book in advance, and drop off areas close to the entry.

Aspire to best practice for accessibility throughout the project and continue to work with the people of WA to gain advice and to test and check the design, exhibitions and programs as they are developed.

ACCESSIBILITY

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SUSTAINABILITY

Focus group conversations about Museum spaces

YOU SAID... WE WILL...

• Sustainability should be at the centre of the New Museum with the building and all public amenities designed based on best practice.

• The New Museum should be ‘green’; carbon neutral and fully sustainable.

Work with the design team to determine how we can make the New Museum as sustainable and ’green’ as possible.

Sustainability is one of our core values and many of our staff work to document, understand and conserve our culture, heritage and environment including recommending best practice strategies for preserving our world. We believe our building should reflect best sustainable practices as well.

Focus group conversations about Museum spaces

SUSTAINABILITY

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‘Sustainability is one of our core values and many of our staff work to document, understand and conserve our culture, heritage and environment.’

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FLEXIBILITYYOU SAID... WE WILL...

• Spaces should be flexible and adaptive to allow for multiple uses and different audience capacities. When spaces are not being used they should be available for alternate uses including community meetings.

• Spaces such as the auditorium, function spaces and exhibition spaces should be flexible to allow for both intimate and large crowds.

Promote flexible space design and technology and ensure the Museum has adaptable spaces.

Look at innovative ways to make these spaces flexible and suitable to the audience capacity.

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YOU SAID... WE WILL...

• The building must be instantly recognisable.

• Elements of unique Western Australian flora, fauna and stories, including Aboriginal stories, should be included in the building design. WA local products such as Toodyay stone, jarrah or marri should be used to showcase the uniqueness of our State.

• Lighting needs to be included in the design to allow projection of images onto the building at night and create a sense of theatre and activation even when the Museum is not open.

• Elements of surprise should be included in the New Museum with secret doors and tunnels, temporary walls that can create hallways and take you on a journey.

Progress our aspiration for an amazing building. Critical to this are the spaces inside the building and what is in them!

Showcase WA in the Museum and work with the design team and the public to identify the images and materials that could achieve this, both inside and outside the building.

Take this fabulous idea on board. We love the idea of projecting images onto the building to create a sense of drama, of welcome and to demonstrate change.

? Look at how we incorporate this concept of elements of surprise into the design.

THE BUILDING

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‘Progress our aspiration for an amazing building.’

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• The landscape should reflect the diversity of Western Australia with aspects of native flora, wetlands, desert and ocean. The landscape should tell stories of Western Australia, both of past and present.

• It should engage all the senses and include plants and design elements that can be used by the Museum and the public to tell stories — it should create an experience of discovery before people enter the Museum.

• The landscape should include an element of surprise and play for both adults and children, such as a water feature or play area. The landscape should entice people towards the Museum and provide experiences of learning, discovery and fun.

• The landscape precinct should encourage people to linger longer by providing active and contemplative spaces, both during the day and at night. Lighting and use of space around the Museum, at ground level and above, should be used to provide interpretation and show the collections / stories.

• The Museum should bring the ‘outside in’ with green scapes and nature included in the design of the internal spaces. The visitor’s journey and excitement should start outside the Museum, and using materials such as glass walls, create a ‘see through’ Museum where you get glimpses of what’s inside as you approach

Work with the design team and local communities to identify ways to represent the State through the landscaping and exterior environment.

Take this idea for landscape design and ‘arrival’ and will build it.

Consider play and elements of surprise in the landscape design and emphasise the sense of welcome and arrival.

Look at how contemplative and active spaces as well as lighting can be incorporated.

Look at how we can turn the Museum inside out. Glass walls and glimpses into the Museum are a great idea and we will discuss this with the design team.

LANDSCAPE PRECINCT

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YOU SAID... WE WILL...

• The landscape should include a space such as an amphitheatre where communities can share stories, hold meetings and gatherings or conduct ceremonies.

• The New Museum should improve access and connection to the Cultural Centre precinct by streamlining pedestrian paths, providing better links to transport hubs, parking and cycle ways. It should include highly visible signs and interpretive way finding approaches and be accessible by walkways, weather-proofed external areas and connecting paths.

Work with our programming team, the design team and the public to create external spaces that can be used to share stories, and allow people to come together.

Ensure signage will be highly visible and accessible and work with the public to test it. We will also work with the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and transport providers to determine better access, pathways and connection to transport.

LANDSCAPE PRECINCT

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‘Create external spaces that can be used to share stories, and come together.’

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• The foyer should be a hub that provides multiple access points to the exhibitions and the rest of the Museum. It should include a space where visitors can sit and access information to determine their visit or create their own ‘self-guided’ tour e.g. a lounge area with free Wi-Fi and inbuilt touchscreens and staff who come forward and greet visitors.

• The foyer should engage the senses but not be a sensory overload. It could include an object or artwork as a centrepiece — something that is eye catching and draws people in. It should feature collection objects to give a taste of what is to come in the rest of the Museum and be a destination in itself. The foyer should include acoustic furnishings to limit the noise.

• The foyer should connect with the outside with lots of natural light, which reflects the outside landscape or brings the landscape in.

• Aboriginal culture should be to the fore, including a Welcome to Country “Kaya Wanju” or a traditional ritual such as throwing sand into water to pay respect to the owners of the land.

Ensure the foyer is a welcoming and effective orientation space that includes rest areas, information areas and welcoming staff to meet, greet and assist visitors with their needs.

Look into the collection to determine objects that could feature. We love the idea of robust collections in the foyer giving you a taste of what is to come. The acoustics in the foyer will be considered as the design is developed.

Consider how natural light and a sense of the outside connecting with the inside can be incorporated into the foyer.

Work with Aboriginal people to create an appropriate welcome to feature stories and cultural experiences.

FOYER

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• There should be a space where visitors can sit and access information to orient themselves and plan their visit - either a touch screen wall or in tables. Visitors could explore a map or find out what is on.

• The information hub should be staffed with friendly, knowledgeable staff who approach and meet and greet visitors – similar to Apple store model. Staff should be from diverse backgrounds including a range of ages and from different cultures, including Aboriginal.

• A variety of information materials should be available to visitors including staff members to greet them and answer questions, paper based maps and guides, technology based information such as iPad guides and touch screen information so visitors can choose how they want to access information. All information should be in multiple languages and fully accessible (audio, visual and text captioning).

Include this in the design of the foyer. We agree seating is important around the whole Museum.

Aspire to have excellent customer service. We think our staff are pretty fantastic already but we always have room for improvement! Staff diversity and training will continue to be a priority as we develop the New Museum.

Consider the use of technology for provision of information as we develop the design, and as technology changes. We will work with the community to determine the best way to present information and will test the information prior to opening in 2020.

INFORMATION SERVICES

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‘Staff diversity and training will continue to be a priority.’

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• The group reception should be easily identifiable to enable groups to find it quickly. Signage should be clear and the space should be welcoming to groups.

• Materials used in the design and the furnishings should consider acoustics to dampen noise from large groups.

• Cloaking should be included for large groups to check in their equipment and toilets should be near by.

• Accessible toilets should be located close to the group entrance.

Work with groups and tour leaders to determine what makes a space welcoming and comfortable. We will be creating a signage and way finding system in the future planning of the New Museum and will test these designs with the public.

Work with the design team to consider the acoustics of the whole Museum.

Give special consideration to groups entrance, cloaking and toilet facilities.

Ensure accessible toilets are close by for use by groups.

GROUP RECEPTION

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• A range of cloaking options should be available e.g. handing over possessions to a staff member and locker-style storage and should be free, or refundable / low cost.

• Cloaking should be quick and easy to use and have high security so possessions are safe and easily retrievable. An electronic tagging system could be used so possessions don’t get misplaced.

• Cloaking needs to be obvious with clear signage so visitors can head straight there to store their possessions.

• The Museum should provide loan equipment e.g. prams that are safe to use within the exhibitions.

More than likely have one cloaking option, due to the space required to provide multiple options. Provide cloaking for free that is easy to access.

? Determine the system for cloaking over the next few years, and investigate a number of options. Whichever system we choose it will be safe, secure and quick to access.

Include the cloaking space close to the entrance and signage will be clear and visible.

Continue to provide loan equipment for visitors with mobility requirements such as wheelchairs and walking frames. We are not so likely to loan prams, however, visitors will be welcome to bring their own.

CLOAKING

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‘Provide cloaking for free that is easy to access.’

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• The shop should be able to be accessed without having to go through the Museum i.e. access the shop from the street. The shop should also be able to be bypassed if required, not ‘exit through the giftshop’.

• The Museum should consider a range of shops that are easily identifiable and well signed. e.g. a book shop that does not include children’s products, that are easily identifiable / well signed.

• The shops should be spacious to allow wheelchairs and prams between aisles / products and seating including so people can wait while other’s shop.

• The shop should include natural light and be comfortable to encourage people to stay and linger. Could be connected to a cafe.

• The Museum shop should be a destination in its own right with excellent, Museum-inspired and uniquely Western Australian products.

Work through the logistics of the shop being accessed from outside the Museum as well as the foyer.

Consider a number of retail experiences throughout the Museum. The main shop is likely to be designed so that kids’ products are in a separate area for ease of access.

Ensure that we provide adequate circulation space in all our areas. We will aim to test the spaces with people in wheelchairs and with prams during fitout.

Ensure that some natural light is provided wherever possible.

Make the Museum shop a destination in its own right and will work with local artists, creative organisations and the public to identify and stock uniquely WA products.

MUSEUM SHOP

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• The Museum cafe should be a destination in its own right and provide a unique experience that reflects the Museum collection and ethos. Interactive touchscreens should be included in cafe areas so visitors can continue to plan their journey.

• There should be multiple cafe spaces with varying costs and experiences i.e. quick snack and low cost through to more formal dining.

• The cafe / restaurant should be open 7 days a week including for dinner. It should be accessible from the street to allow the restaurant to be open when the Museum is closed. A rooftop restaurant should be considered that can be converted to a bar / restaurant with after hours access.

• All cafes, restaurants should be spacious to accommodate wheelchairs and prams.

• One of the cafes should be attached to a playground so parents / families can enjoy a coffee while children play (children supervised from a distance). There should be an area where visitors can bring their own food and sit and eat it both indoors and outdoors.

Plan how this area can reflect the content and objects inside the Museum.

Ensure variety of food in the main café and look at ’pop up’ experiences elsewhere.

? Consider developing a flexible roof top space for out of hours events and activities and investigate the feasibility of evening dining. We will market test the likelihood of such a facility being profitable.

Ensure generous circulation space in café for wheelchairs and prams.

Consider how we can incorporate this idea and in any case consider the relationships between different facilities.

MUSEUM CAFÉ

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There were differing views about whether the Museum should have an ‘exclusive’ members’ lounge when it should be a Museum for everyone.

If a members’ lounge is included it should:

• Feel like it’s a part of the Museum, not hidden away. It should be themed to Museum exhibitions or include collections to give it a ‘Museum experience’.

• There should be lots of comfortable seating with access to resources – free WIFI, journals etc.

• It should have lots of natural light and be atmospheric with relaxed colour and lighting.

• It should be multipurpose with the ability to hire or be used for functions.

• It should include kitchen facilities; tea, coffee etc or bar refreshments.

There were differing views about whether the Museum should have an ‘exclusive’ members’ lounge when it should be a Museum for everyone.

If a members’ lounge is included we will:

Recommend a space that could be used as members’ facilities, however this space could be flexible to allow for other uses/purposes.

Include kitchenette facilities, as well as easy access for catering to allow for multiple uses.

MEMBERS’ LOUNGE

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• Toilets need to be included on every floor and fully accessible for everyone. Universal access toilets should not be separate. Child-sized toilets should be incorporated as well as change facilities for all ages including adjustable change table and hoist (see Changing Places model www.changing-places.org). Family toilets should be included (so fathers can accompany daughters to the toilet and mothers can accompany sons.)

• Toilets to be themed to surrounding exhibitions so even they are part of the Museum experience e.g. include Museum objects or themes within the toilets.

• A safe and comfortable lounge space should be included outside the amenities to allow people to stop and take a break and use toilets / facilities; a space for carers to attend to family members with support needs, for people to take time out, for feeding and changing requirement both for children and adults.

• Toilets should be clean, spacious and odourless with automated / sensors on toilets, washbasin and hand-driers to ensure hygiene.

• Toilets should be sustainable and environmentally friendly. They should include natural light and be calm spaces.

Make sure there are accessible toilets throughout the Museum — where they are placed will be determined in the eventual building design. We will come back to the people of WA for input and feedback as we develop the design. We will recommend the Changing Places model to the design team.

Have our content team consider the Museum experience in this context.

Recommend this be included in the New Museum and work with the public to determine how this space can be experienced. We are now researching spaces like this in public facilities around the world and will provide more information when we develop the design for this space.

Work with the design team to ensure the best fittings to ensure toilets are clean and spacious.

Ensure sustainable toilets are included in the brief. We will continue to consult with the public about what makes a calm space.

TOILET FACILITIES

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• Parent facilities should be welcoming and inclusive with lots of space, seating and relaxing / calm colours and decor.

• Facilities should include food heating, nappy disposal, play area for children (while parents tend to other children).

• Private cubicles should be provided to allow parents / carers to change family members, tend to medical requirements in privacy. Carer facilities are different from parent facilities. First aid area should be close to the parent / carer facilities.

• Facilities should be easily accessible, easy to find, clean and safe.

Consult further with parents and parent groups to determine how we can make the space welcoming and inclusive, including the fitout and design.

Look into Museum experiences for children while they are accompanying their parents in this space. Facilities such as food heating and nappy disposal will be included.

Work with parents, carers and people with disability to determine what is required for this space. The information provided on carer facilities is incredibly useful and we will continue to consult with the public and organisations to make sure this space is accessible and inclusive.

Make sure parent facilities are accessible, safe clean and easy to find.

PARENT FACILITIES

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• The function space should be multipurpose and flexible with dividable / moving walls to accommodate different styles of functions and numbers of people. It should have integrated sound and light systems, a bar space, commercial kitchen.

• It should be accessible from outside the Museum to allow after hour access and have glimpses into the Museum. The function space should be private so functions do not disturb the visitor experience and vice versa.

• There should be plenty of space to store furniture for functions e.g. tables and chairs, stage equipment etc. and toilet facilities should be provided within the function space.

• There should be a space for community use – to be used for community meetings / purposes.

Work with the design team and our functions partners to determine the best use of space and facilities. We like these ideas for function spaces.

Ensure both the visitor experience and the functions’ experience do not intersect unless intended. After-hours access is a must and we will consider how to incorporate glimpses into the New Museum.

Include storage and toilet facilities in the planning for the function space.

Champion flexible spaces that can be used for multiple purposes including community uses. This is a great idea!

FUNCTION SPACE

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‘The function space should be multipurpose and flexible.’

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YOU SAID... WE WILL...

• The auditorium should be fully accessible with space to accommodate wheelchairs and plenty of space between seats to allow people to get in and out easily.

• The auditorium should be a flexible space – so it can be used for small groups to large audiences. Seating should be movable so the space can be used for other purposes if required.

• There should be space included within the auditorium where people can handle the collections after / during the presentations.

• The auditorium should be accessible from outside the Museum to enable after hour access and also have a courtyard / outside space for breakout sessions or outdoor presentations.

Continue to conduct consultation with users to promote a user-focused solution. All our facilities must be fully accessible.

? Consider movable seating, however, this may not be achievable from a budgetary perspective. Make sure the space is flexible.

Provide for this type of presentation. We love the fact that you are thinking about the collections in all the spaces.

Recommend access from outside the Museum to the auditorium and look at how we can program events that can utilise the outside area as well.

AUDITORIUM

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‘The auditorium should be a flexible space – so it can be used for small groups to large audiences.’

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YOU SAID... WE WILL...

• Learning spaces should be flexible to accommodate different learning experiences. All learning spaces should be fully accessible.

• Learning spaces should include a range of visual, auditory and hands-on experiences with old and new interactive technology included as well as the latest teaching aids and child-size furniture.

• Learning spaces should be integrated throughout the Museum with activities on all floors and rest and contemplative spaces included.

Investigate a range of flexible space options with the design team. All spaces in the New Museum will be accessible and we will strive to go beyond Australian standards for accessibility.

Design learning spaces for people of all ages as the New Museum will be a place for lifelong learning. A range of learning experiences will be developed and the technology included in these spaces will be suited to the learning experiences.

Continue to consult to determine the best places to include contemplative and learning spaces so we create an amazing Museum experience for everyone.

LEARNING SPACES

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‘Design learning spaces for people of all ages.’

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YOU SAID... WE WILL...

• The Revealing the Museum spaces should provide access to the Museum collections and staff – an opportunity to open up the research facility to explain and reflect the breadth of learning opportunities at the Museum.

• It should include places and experiences where staff and ‘specialists in residence’ can work and be viewed.

• There should be spaces included for access to special collections.

• The Revealing the Museum should include spaces where visitors can get hands-on with the collections, with activities to engage all the senses.

Showcase the incredible collections and talented staff we have at the Museum and make them available for everyone to experience and engage with.

Provide opportunities for these experiences and continue to consult on how this can be achieved interestingly.

Consult further on the type of collections people want to access.

Deliver hands-on experiences and programming.

REVEALING THE MUSEUM

‘Showcase the incredible collections and talented staff we have at the Museum.’

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Workshop participants at the Office of the Page 4 Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Children at the WA Museum. Page 5

Diver with leafy sea dragon. Page 6

Skeleton of the Blue Whale. Page 7

Detail of shields in the Museum collection. Page 8

Children in the Perth Cultural Centre wetlands. Page 10 Image courtesy Jenny Watson.

Butterflies from the Museum collection. Page 13

Barnacle from the Museum collection. Page 17

Parent and child at the Maritime Museum. Page 19

Heyder and Shears staff at the Museum. Page 20

Lightwell table in Gwoonwardu Mia Carnarvon WA. Page 22 MAGNA national award winner 2012. Image courtesy of Lightwell and Gwoonwardu Mia.

WA Museum aquatic zoologist in the wet store collection. Page 23

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS