Celebrating the Latino Experience
Molina Family Latino Gallery
Molina Family Latino Gallery
We collaborated with the Smithsonian Latino Center to create an exhibition space within the National Museum of American History that recognizes Latinos’ achievements and contributions to American culture. Supporting both artifact displays and immersive digital experiences, the Gallery helps connect contemporary themes to historical content to provide a rich interpretive journey.
An enticing entrance will draw visitors through a conspicuous threshold, distinguishing the Latino Gallery from other galleries within the large museum. Complementing the main exhibition, the Gallery will feature a flexible, multi-use education area for hands-on learning. In keeping with the Gallery’s inclusive message, we carefully designed it to be universally accessible for diverse audiences.
The establishment of the Molina Family Latino Gallery is an important milestone for the Smithsonian and the nation
Mapping the Way to Universal Design
Reinforcing the exhibition’s celebration of diversity, we leveraged sensory mapping and universal design principles to meet the needs of visitors with differing mobility, sensory, and cognitive abilities. One example is the placement of speakers to create focused sound experiences buffered by quiet spaces.
A Preview of What’s to Come
The gallery is the Smithsonian’s first space on the National Mall dedicated to the Latino experience. It is in anticipation of a new National Museum of the American Latino, which has been authorized by Congress.
¡Presente!
We are working closely with the designer of the Gallery’s inaugural exhibition, ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, to develop an engaging experience that explores the historical and cultural legacy of Latinos in America.
Engaging with Education
The education area provides a space for families and school groups to participate in hands-on activities. Its walls feature a modular system that incorporates seating and storage to support a variety of programs.
