The Eameses at the New York Hall of Science
This welcome gallery redesign reintroduces Mathematica: A World of Numbers… and Beyond through a bold, immersive entry experience rooted in the process-driven philosophy of Charles and Ray Eames. Designed by Chop Shop Studio in collaboration with the Eames Office and NYSCI’s exhibitions team, the project honors the original 1964 World’s Fair installation while making space for a new generation of thinkers and tinkerers.
DESIGN AS PROCESS
Framing the wall around themes like Creative Collaboration, Curiosity + Exploration + Discovery, and Identify / Iterate / Innovate, the mural walks visitors through the Eames approach to making: observe closely, ask questions, prototype freely, and learn by doing. The sequence mirrors both their design method and the spirit of the original exhibition.
ARCHIVAL IMAGERY & ICONS
The installation integrates large-scale photo collage, Eames-era objects, and bilingual quotes that humanize the design process. Cutout silhouettes and step-by-step chair iterations give form to the idea that innovation is less about genius and more about curiosity, persistence, and play.
COLOR, TYPOGRAPHY, AND FLOW
A segmented layout uses directional arrows, color-coded zones, and oversized typography to keep the visitor moving—both physically and conceptually. The rhythm of the wall guides viewers through moments of focus and reflection, punctuated with graphic textures and many visual surprises pulled from the Eames archive.
CONTEXTUAL DESIGN
The design doesn’t compete with the original Mathematica artifacts—it sets the stage. Materials, pacing, and spatial framing were chosen to amplify the story without overwhelming the adjacent installations. It’s a contemporary remix that respects the legacy it introduces.
The main wall display begins with the Eameses as a creative duo, explores their design process, and concludes with a showcase of their most innovative work.
A reader rail breaks down the process from idea to production.
Intro panel framing the origins of Mathematica and the Eameses’ groundbreaking work for IBM at the 1964 World’s Fair.
The main wall explores the Eames theory of creativity, built around a three-part process that turns curiosity into invention.
The supplied art for the reader rail (shown above).
