2023 Galleries
The Spark Gallery pages are one of our most popular design destinations, with thousands of visitors each year. Check out some of the latest Spark entries, in the galleries below.
Galleries // 2015 Spark:Experience // Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate
Winner - Gold
Competition: Spark:Experience
Designer: Edwin Schlossberg - Principal
Design Type: Gaming, Social & Digital
Company / Organization / School: ESI Design
Website: esidesign.com
Team Members: Joe Karadin – Design Lead
Clay Gish – Content and Program Designer
Peter Vigeant – Simulation Experience Designer
Jonathan Grimm – Art Director
Michael Schneider – Systems Designer
Richard Mullen – Project Manager
Photography: Stephen Yang
Video: Greene & Silver
Control Group translated the design intent into actionable software applications that enable the interactive experience between the visitors, tablets and exhibits.
Richard Lewis Media Group produced dynamic and engaging multimedia content for the exhibits, based on extensive historical research.
Gigantic Mechanic designed and validated the game mechanics and rules to ensure the Senate Immersion Module is compelling for visitors 8th grade and older.
The entire experience resides in a beautiful, 68,000 sq. ft. building designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly.
Additional Design Credits:
Systems Integration: Electrosonic
Exhibit Fabrication: Maltbie
Architect: RV Architects
Structural Engineer: Le Messurier
MEP/AV/FP/IT/Security Engineer: WSP
Civil Engineer: Sasaki
Landscape Architect: Sasaki
Life Safety: Hughes Associates
Parking and Transportation: Howard Stein Hudson
Lighting Designer: One Lux Studio
Specifications: Robert Schwartz & Associates
Cost Estimating: Faithful & Gould
Geotechnical: Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
E.M.K. Institute Sets New Model for Experience-Based Museum The Edward M. Kennedy Institute establishes a new model for a dynamic, ever-evolving museum environment, designed for learning hands-on through activities and events. The 40,000 SF Institute departs from the traditional concept of a museum; rather than focusing on presenting artifacts to tell a story fixed in time, ESI’s design fulfills the Senator’s vision for a new kind of cultural space, where people participate in experiences that expand their understanding of the Senate throughout history. Through imaginative use of interactive technologies, collaborative activities and highly visual and informative digital content, ESI created an immersive experience that directly engages visitors in the spirit of civic dialogue. Visitors don’t passively look at the institute’s exhibits, they become 'Senators-in-Training' for the day, using their tablets as a guiding 'Chief of Staff' as they experience a sequence of exhibits and engage with interactive media and fellow visitors. The last stop is a stunning, full-scale representation of the Senate Chamber. There, up to 100 visitors actively debate and negotiate in 'Today’s Vote' or the 'Senate Immersion Module,' working to pass legislation by combining the best of human interaction and innovative gaming-based technologies to build consensus.