Experience Center Design for a High-Tech Future | Kewaunee's Immersive Laboratory Solutions

Kewaunee’s Experience Center: A Revolution in Laboratory Solutions

Kewaunee International Group’s latest project, the Experience Center, showcases the future of laboratory design. This 900-square-foot space is a testament to Kewaunee’s commitment to building innovative, immersive environments for clients, employees, and investors alike. This multifunctional space blends experience center design with state-of-the-art immersive technology like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), creating a transformative environment that emphasizes hands-on learning and engagement.

A Vision for Future-Ready Laboratories

The Kewaunee Experience Center was conceptualized to go beyond traditional lab spaces. Designed as a techno design space for laboratories, the center demonstrates Kewaunee’s forward-thinking approach to both laboratory functionality and aesthetics. This space is crafted for clients to experience and interact with cutting-edge lab products in a controlled, engaging environment. The Experience Center effectively redefines how clients, employees, and investors understand and interact with the possibilities of laboratory design.

Opportunity: Creating an Interactive Hub of Innovation

Kewaunee’s Experience Center originated from the need to foster closer collaboration between Kewaunee’s clients, employees, and investors. This design approach aimed at offering a memorable journey from the moment visitors enter to the moment they leave. To achieve this, key elements were introduced, including:

• Wall of Excellence: Positioned at the entry, this wall serves as both an inviting façade and a final impression, showcasing Kewaunee’s legacy and achievements.
• Immersive Design Elements: With AR and VR integration, visitors are encouraged to interact with lab products in a virtual setup. This interactive format not only educates visitors but also leaves a lasting impression of Kewaunee’s commitment to innovation.

Through frequent in-person and virtual meetings, the Kewaunee team carefully planned every element of the design. This regular communication ensured the project's vision stayed aligned, with dedicated engineers overseeing each component of the space.

Innovative Design Strategies for Enhanced Functionality

Crafting a multifunctional space within a limited 900-square-foot area posed a unique challenge. The Experience Center had to balance aesthetics with utility, incorporating multiple uses for presentations, demonstrations, and workshops. To address this challenge, Kewaunee employed a design thinking approach that introduced scaled-down models of larger products, creating a futuristic appeal while conserving valuable space.

1. The Empty Room Concept: One of the center’s most innovative design elements, this room allows up to 12 participants to explore real-size simulated AR models. By showcasing Kewaunee's extensive product range in an immersive, engaging manner, the Empty Room Concept highlights the flexibility and adaptability of the space.
2. Floating Wall Design: This unique design feature conceals support systems to create an abstract relationship between the wall and ceiling, adding a sense of openness and modernity to the space.

The use of geometry as a core design principle ensured that each area maintained its own aesthetic integrity while serving a functional purpose, allowing Kewaunee to maximize the center’s impact within the limited space available.

Sustainable Design and Waste Management Solutions

Sustainability was a guiding principle throughout the Experience Center project. Kewaunee’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices required careful selection of materials and waste management strategies:

• Repurposing Acrylics: To minimize waste, acrylic materials were repurposed for DIY installations, demonstrating Kewaunee's dedication to resourcefulness.
• Avoiding Laminates: The design avoided the use of laminates, further reducing waste and environmental impact.

These decisions not only contributed to the center’s environmental goals but also aligned with Kewaunee’s larger mission of fostering sustainable laboratory environments.

Immersive Technology Integration in Experience Center Design

The inclusion of immersive technologies like AR and VR sets Kewaunee's Experience Center apart. By allowing visitors to engage with products virtually, these technologies transform the experience design laboratory concept into a highly interactive and educational journey.

• AR and VR Simulations: Visitors can view and interact with product models in a simulated environment, gaining a clear understanding of functionality and design without needing full-scale setups.
• Hands-On Demonstrations: The technology supports live demonstrations, allowing clients and employees to experience product operations and specifications interactively, further enriching the learning experience.

These immersive design elements bridge the gap between innovation and practicality, embodying a future-ready laboratory experience that resonates with clients’ needs for adaptability and innovation.

Overcoming Challenges in a Multifunctional Techno Design Space

Kewaunee faced the challenge of creating a cohesive and inviting techno design space that could support various purposes within limited square footage. Maintaining functionality while incorporating the latest technology was essential. By incorporating scaled-down miniatures and carefully chosen aesthetic features like the Floating Wall, the design team overcame spatial limitations without compromising on the futuristic, sophisticated look and feel.

The team's focus on geometry and balance played a crucial role in maintaining aesthetic appeal, while the strategic use of multifunctional spaces allowed the center to support presentations, interactive displays, and workshops efficiently.

Results: A Future-Ready Laboratory Experience Center

The Kewaunee Experience Center successfully blends aesthetics with functionality, creating a space that inspires clients, employees, and investors. Key highlights include:

• Wall of Excellence: This feature stands as a tribute to Kewaunee’s achievements, while also serving as a welcoming and memorable visual façade.
• Floating Wall: Concealed supports add an element of intrigue and modernity to the overall design.
• Color Palette: The choice of blue, white, and gray reinforces a sense of modernity and sophistication, aligning with the clean, high-tech laboratory environment.

Key Takeaways from Kewaunee’s Experience Center Design

1. Customer-Centric Design: Every aspect of the center is geared toward enhancing the client experience, from immersive technology integration to interactive displays.
2. Innovative Use of Space: The multifunctional design accommodates various purposes without sacrificing aesthetic appeal, making it a versatile and efficient use of space.
3. Sustainability in Focus: Through careful material choices and waste management strategies, Kewaunee demonstrates its commitment to sustainability within laboratory environments.

Kewaunee’s Experience Center is a prime example of how an immersive, well-thought-out design can redefine industry standards, positioning Kewaunee as a leader in laboratory solutions. This project showcases how modern experience center design can merge innovative technology, multifunctional space, and sustainability to meet the evolving demands of the laboratory industry.

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