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FAMILIARITY
Choosing a bird that many people know (especially young children).
Bald Eagle Flyway
An interdisciplinary studio with multiple disciplines collaborating on designing play pods for the Des Moines Marina & Birdland Park.
Research
Designing a nature-based play environment within Birdland Park in Des Moines that emphasizes inclusive outdoor environments and supports children, while also considering the needs of accompanying adults.
My team consisted of an industrial designer (me), landscape architect, and two architects. Each team had a theme/story they wanted to convey that fit into the overall project. My main role was sketching, designing 3D models, and building scaled prototypes of the play pods.
THE CONCEPT
Inspired by the migration of the Bald Eagle, a native bird found on site, Birdland Park’s island is re-imagined as an immersive nature play environment that encourages exploration, movement, and ecological discovery.
WHY BALD EAGLES?
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LOCAL BIRDS
Bald Eagles have been spotted at the park, and often stay by the open waters.
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MIGRATION
Bald eagles have a simple yet interesting migration journey.