Signage Designs Become Reality at Kiewit Luminarium

Part workshop, part museum, part science center, Kiewit Luminarium is a one-of-a-kind community space and learning environment for people of all ages. More than 125 exhibits are housed in Luminarium’s machine shed-inspired building on Omaha, Nebraska’s RiverFront park.

The dynamic entryway is designed to welcome visitors into a warm and engaging place where they can “explore the astonishing phenomena that shape our world, our communities and ourselves.” The piece that pulls people in and sets the stage for the entire Luminarium experience? The donor recognition display.

Creating an Entryway Showpiece With the Help of VR (virtual reality)

The Luminarium team came to Latitude Signage + Design with designs for a stunning interior donor wall that would stretch the length of the space’s entryway, where visitors enter and purchase tickets. This wall was meant to honor the patrons who made Luminarium possible while providing a fun and innovative piece that would make visitors stop and take notice.

With the designs already done, Latitude brought fabrication and installation expertise to the table. Often, when another company creates sign designs, our team reviews the design with attention to sizing, materials, and construction. Adjustments are made to keep the design intent and provide all the details to manufacture the signs and have a smooth installation. Working in tandem with Luminarium’s creative team, subtle tweaks were made so that the donor display could be built and hung on the wall while keeping the integrity of the original vision intact.

During this process, the team made virtual reality (VR) renderings so Luminarium stakeholders could experience how the final donor recognition display would look in the space. Envisioning a 3D display when you’re looking at a 2D rendering can be tricky for even the most imaginative individuals. Using this technology helped the Luminarium team get a clearer idea of how all the pieces of the donor wall would come together in one innovative display.

The final result is a wave of disks in bright colors suspended between two giant steel beams that nod to Nebraska’s industrial history. The varying disk sizes represent different levels of giving. Blank disks are included in the display to allow for any future donations.

Signage That Adds Dimension

Larger donors have dedicated rooms and spaces in their names. Luminarium wanted these names to stand out, so they designed interior room identification signs with letters that were five inches thick. They wanted the letters to appear clear, with paint behind them so a touch of color was coming through.

The five-inch-thick acrylic letters were heavy, but stud mounts weren’t an option because they would be visible through the clear letters. The install team used high-bond tape and silicone to get the letters to stick to the wall. Some letters had to be redone in cases where the walls were too light and the letters faded into the background. Those letters ended up being painted black on the surface to pop off the wall. Collaboration was important throughout this process to make sure the designs were brought to life in a way that would work long-term for the facility.

Luminarium had our team manufacture and install a complete interior sign family and exterior wayfinding signage. Bold colors were necessary to draw attention and add to the innovative feel of the space. The result is a unique blend of vibrant colors, textures, and shapes against a backdrop of wood, pegboard, and stark black walls.

Inspiring Minds With Inspiring Designs

Kiewit Luminarium is a first-of-its-kind center for Omaha and the region, offering visitors the opportunity to experiment, dream, and explore. The Latitude team was honored to lend signage expertise to this prestigious architectural project, which will inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and math for future generations.

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