ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dear ASTC Friends,
I am so appreciative of all the comments and insights provided in response to my initial inquiry, both as part of the open listserv conversation and in private messages. I've heard from several people, all with varying perspectives regarding contracts with architects and other consultants. It sounds like there are many things to consider but not one definitive way to fashion our project. The key lessons I'm learning from everyone who has responded is the importance of keeping our mission/vision in the forefront, determining how our building will be used and what types of exhibits we want, and keeping the lines of communication open between the science center and all consultants. (Of course, there are were a lot more words of wisdom; these are just a few highlights.) I will be sharing all of the comments with our building committee. My thanks to all who responded!
Our new science center project promises to be the biggest thing I have ever done (or am ever likely to do in my lifetime)! Gateway to Science will grow from a very small gallery to many times our current size. We will be able to reach far more students and families with informal science in a state where we are the only hands-on science center. I am grateful to be part of the ASTC community where there are so many generous people who are willing to share your expertise and experience.
Best regards,
Beth Demke
Executive Director
Gateway to Science
1810 Schafer Street, Suite 1
Bismarck, ND 58501-1218
701.258.1975 (office)
701.220.8356 (cell)
[log in to unmask]
http://gatewaytoscience.org
"Knowing a great deal is not the same as being smart; intelligence is not information alone but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used."
Carl Sagan (1934-1996), American astronomer, exobiologist and science communicator
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Siegel
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 3:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Architects & Exhibits Consultants (#2014-10)
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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and to refine barbara's point, if you are in doubt about bringing in a consultant...punt!
eric
On Jan 13, 2014, at 4:49 PM, Barbara Punt <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> **********************************************************************
> *******
>
> I agree with the many fine points raised by Eli, Eric, and Chuck. In addition, I wrote a series of contracts for a client where the exhibit designer was a sub to the architect. The museum is now open so I'll check back with them and see what wisdom they have to share about how the paradigm worked out and I'll post the results here.
>
> My own experience runs the gamut from being on-staff as the project manager for getting a museum open, on-staff as the exhibits operation manager, and out-of-house as the project manager and Owner's Rep. I have yet to encounter a project where bringing the exhibit designers on early was a mistake or waste of money; their contribution to the ultimate layout of the building and type of exhibit infrastructure required is generally invaluable. With regards to Eric's comment about the architect charging a premium on managing the exhibit design firm as their sub, and about how that money could be spent on others managing the designers, let me add one other point of view -- if you don't have the expertise in-house, or the work does not require a full-time staff person, it can be dramatically more cost effective to bring in a project manager as a consultant. You may get someone with more expertise than is available locally, and because you control the size of their scope, you can utilize their input efficiently so as to reduce overall costs.
>
>
> Barbara Punt
> Punt Consulting Group
> 409 North PCH, Suite 326
> Redondo Beach, CA 90277
> (310) 937-3366
> [log in to unmask]
>
> When in Doubt...Punt!
>
>
>>> On Jan 10, 2014, at 8:56 AM, Eli Kuslansky wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I firmly believe that as much of the development team in place from
>>>> inception is best. That includes not only the architect and exhibit
>>>> designer but if feasible media producers. Many architects have
>>>> their own agenda, style, varying knowledge of exhibit design and
>>>> its requirements, and less so of media and technology requirements.
>>>> Barbara Punt from Punt Consulting in LA would know a lot about this
>>>> as she was an owner's rep and project manager on many of these
>>>> types of projects. The advantages of having the two type of firm
>>>> starting from the concept development phase offsets any disadvantages.
>>>>
>>>> As a side note here is our post on this process model:
>>>> http://bit.ly/1hDPppc
>
>
>
>
> **********************************************************************
> * For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
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