Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Interpretive Center

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Taylor Studios had nearly finished designing the Interpretive Center’s exhibits. The hurricane demolished the coastal site, and the client decided to completely redesign the building to make it more hurricane-resistant. This presented the challenge of redesigning the exhibits to work in a new, smaller building footprint. Taylor Studios was able to pick up right where the project ended and preserve the spirit of the original design within the new space.

The exhibits at Grand Bay NERR interpret dynamic coastal habitats and how humans affect them. Our design reflected the central theme, Coastal habitats are diverse, dynamic, and ever-changing places––and we are a key part of them, with organic shapes, multiple layers, and blue aquatic tones. In addition, sustainable materials, such as cork, were used as much as possible to reinforce our critical role in protecting coastal habitats.

Exhibit Rendering

Installed Exhibit

Exhibit Rendering

Installed Exhibit

Long Leaf Pine

Pull-out Wall

Bluebird Illustration

Great Egret Illustration

Graphic Hierarchy