Challenge
The re-invention of the Brooklyn Navy Yard has been a notable success. In a major effort to reach out to the public, BNY opened an exhibit and community center named BLDG 92. Part renovated 19th century structure and part gleaming new LEED Platinum building, it focuses on the past, present and future of the Yard and brings educational and employment benefits to local residents. We were given three challenges related to its opening: tell the various exhibit stories in print; bring the green aspects of the center to life and build an interactive application enabling visitors to discover a personal connection to the Yard’s history.

Solutions
We designed a 48-page souvenir brochure that effectively gathers together and summarizes the content of all the opening exhibits within the center. Powerful images from the past- and present-day Navy Yard illustrate the fascinating history of the site as well as its vibrant present. A digital kiosk application functions as an educational scavenger hunt detailing the positive environmental features of the building and rewards successful “hunters”. A second kiosk contains an interactive genealogical tool allowing visitors to review and contribute to a database of Yard workers, companies, ships, products and locations. These solutions all contribute to the creation of a long-lasting bond between BLDG 92 and its visitors.