Building Area:

24,000 SF

Cost per Square Foot:

$217

Construction Cost:

$5.2 M

Date of Completion:

Spring 2001

Project Description:

Being mindful of the historic neo-classical style of a railroad depot that first opened in 1925,

this renovation and addition was complete in 2001 and was a catalyst in the master planning

efforts to revitalize downtown Baton Rouge. The goal of this project was to replace an

outdated facility with a state of the art facility housing a new multipurpose planetarium and

space theater. Utilizing world class technology, new exhibition and educational spaces,

offices and conference areas, this project would set the bar for planetariums that would

follow. Renovation of existing art galleries, classroom spaces and the integration of an

interior sculpture lobby were also achieved. Aligned with the user’s vision and belief that the

disciplines of art and science create an interdisciplinary experience that allows for

connections and discovery of new ways of seeing and thinking, this project combined the

arts and sciences creating an experience far beyond expectations.

Because of this successful merging of art and science, the facility has become a vital

educational resource and destination to the community and beyond. Attracting more than

175,000 annual visitors, with more than 92,000 of these students, this revitalized facility

provides programming for diverse audiences, families, tourists and students alike. Located

along the Mississippi River, the facility is a significant contributor to Louisiana’s tourist

economy and has become a major downtown Baton Rouge attraction, drawing visitors from

local areas, as well as across the United States and many foreign countries.

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User Statement:

Our goals included a space that functionally and visually marries the existing museum and

new planetarium, a theatre accommodating new technologies, and architecture that invites

passers-by. The architects found creative and attractive solutions. In two weeks, we served

13,000 visitors in stimulating, yet soothing elegant environments.

Understanding the historic

nature and architectural

significance of the existing

1920’s train station turned

museum, the design

creates not only a state of

the art planetarium and

multimedia addition, but

addresses the contextual

vernacular of the existing

building and site.

The design solution

seamlessly extends the

historic building and

communicates the engaging

nature of its internal

functions. It addresses

significant tapered and

triangular shaped site

constraints with perimeter

edges defined by an active

railway, a state highway and

the river levee.

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The project required the

collaboration with city,

state, museum and private

sector contributors who

teamed together to improve

arts and science education

while advancing civic

amenities in the community.

Significant site constraints

required creative solutions.

Major challenges existed:

balance light-limiting solid

forms for the theater

experience with the need of

transparency for views both

inside and out.

The solution features a

copper-clad domed cylinder

that houses the raised

theater on the second floor

and the hands-on exhibit

level in the transparent

residual space below.

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The new sculpture

garden, once an exterior

loading area for the train

station and then an

exterior sculpture garden

for the previous museum,

was enclosed, creating a

central entry point.

Visitors are greeted upon

arrival by the sculpture

filled space which

provides visual cues to

assist with wayfinding.

The space also provides

a transparent upper level

affording balcony visitors

a scenic view of the

Mississippi River.

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The sculpture garden

functions as the

connection between the

renovated facility and the

addition, a merging of art

and science. The design

incorporates the existing

exterior face of the

original train station,

emphasizing the original

stained glass and

masonry which is

highlighted by

architectural accent

lighting.

The transparency of the

second level connector

affords views over the

river levee and beyond.

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The new first floor exhibit

gallery provides hands-on,

interactive educational

exhibits for children and

adults alike; all the while

concealing theater

equipment and major

structural components.

This transparent residual

space, created once the

theater was lifted above the

ground level, allows

patrons to flow through a

series of spatial

experiences during their

visit.

Incorporating flexible

exhibit design, the use and

evolution of gallery exhibits

continues to be a positive

and adaptive attribute for

patrons and staff.

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The Space Theater is one

of the most advanced

facilities in the country

providing programming

commensurate with

Hayden Planetarium in

New York and the Adler

Planetarium in Chicago.

The facility operates not

only in a presentation

format, but also has the

ability to be fully interactive

based upon specific needs.

As technology evolves, the

client is able to easily keep

pace with changes.

Technology, once

unimagined, continues to

be successfully integrated

for patron enjoyment.

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The planet tower interior

functions as a circulation

stairway that orbits the

suspended planets,

allowing visitors to gain a

sense of the planets’

scale and proportions.

As patrons exit the space

theater, their path is laced

through this solar system

and down an open

stairway bringing all within

arm’s length of the

planets.

Each planet model is

scaled in relationship to

the 60 foot planetarium

roof dome representing

the sun.

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The planet tower serves

as a glass exclamation

point creating visual

interest and excitement.

Carefully crafted lighting

and glazing transforms

this tower into a

welcoming beacon after

dusk.

To this day, the planet

tower stands as a

landmark for locals and a

reference point for visitors

to downtown.

Addressing the

adjacencies of the active

railway at the lower level,

the design provides a

solid façade while

creating a transparent

view out to the levee and

river at the second levels.

While serving the

community through

lectures, workshops,

classes, teacher in-

services, school field

trips, summer camps and

other programming; the

facility continues to offer

the highest quality

programming available in

the United States.

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Featuring exhibitions of

internationally renowned

artists, a permanent art

collection, innovative

programming and

interactive children's

galleries, the facility

seeks to enhance the

understanding and

appreciation of art and

science for general

audiences and students

alike.

Even more evident today

than when first open, this

is where art and science

connect to encourage

discovery and foster the

pursuit of knowledge

while respectfully paying

homage to its rich history.