R&P’s installations at Sunnylands Center and Gardens are carefully crafted to complement this modern architectural masterpiece. The sophisticated designs are a contemporary take on the Annenberg’s famous mid-century modern estate.
Skyrocketed and exceeded expectations with more than 11,000 guests in January 2015
New Technology
Exhibits include a glasses-free 3D film experience
7 Awards Total
2012 Finalist
Design Edge Award for Environmental Design
2013 Los Angeles Business Council Los Angeles Architectural Awards
Award of Excellence
The Goal
The Sunnylands Estate, once reserved as a private retreat for the Annenberg family, opened its doors to the public as a must-see historic site and architectural masterpiece. R&P was commissioned to design the exhibits, media, and wayfinding at the new Visitor Center, built to accommodate the considerable expected crowds. The new elements are not just exemplars of modern design, but also complement the building architecture, integrate the Sunnylands’ brand identity, meet the latest accessibility standards, and are constructed to withstand the unforgiving desert elements.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
The Design
R&P delivered a bold, modern design for the Center’s new interpretive exhibits and wayfinding system, inspired by the building architecture and the mid-century modern design aesthetic. R&P designed the interior exhibits, graphics, branding, identity and all of the exterior site and landscape signage. We also coordinated the production of the extensive multi-media installations.
To reflect the Sunnylands brand and philosophy, the new exhibit panels featured geometric patterns, clean lines and sharp accents. The signs accent the elements in the built environment and the colors reference the native plants found in the desert garden. Along with aspects of the refreshed Sunnylands logo, R&P created a consistent visual language throughout, establishing a closer connection to the estate and its desert environment.
The Center is an example of sustainable design and its application to contemporary design in a desert environment. The LEED Gold building incorporates many ‘green’ technologies and sustainable materials in its construction and finishes, including the specially-designed Plyboo interactive media stations by R&P. For the construction of the other signs, durable powder-coated steel was used to stand up to the desert conditions, including sandstorms and harsh sunlight.
To complete the visitor experience, a state-of-the-art, glasses-free, 3D video tour of the Sunnylands residence and its development over time is included, marking the first use of this new technology in an exhibit.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
The Result
The Annenberg Estate and the Sunnylands Center and Gardens are American treasures with a high National profile. The commitment to the highest caliber of design by this internationally respected project team made it a special and challenging project, of which we are extremely proud.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Case Study
The R&P design team worked closely with the building architects, Frederick Fisher & Partners, and other internationally renowned consultants to provide exhibit and signage design seamlessly integrated with the building architecture, interior furnishings, and the landscape design. There was extensive interaction with the client’s Board of Trustees, their advisors, and the architectural / engineering team to fine-tune the design to the most exacting standards. The exhibit design team, media producers, and fabricators were also able to establish a collaborative process that was both timely and effective, sustained throughout the project.
We are currently recovering from our third ‘high season’ operation and have continued to experience increases in visitation and overwhelmingly positive response to the site. Thanks for your work in making the Center & Gardens such a success.Janice Lyle, Director, The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Corporate Identity & Stationary
Several identity versions previously existed, causing confusion with the brand application. R&P standardized and refreshed the identity to achieve a more modern feel for better longevity and wider applications. A Standards Manual was developed outlining identity details, colors, typeface, and best practices for applications. This included a full set of business forms and collateral material.
R&P’s installations at Sunnylands Center and Gardens are carefully crafted to complement this modern architectural masterpiece. The sophisticated designs are a contemporary take on the Annenberg’s famous mid-century modern estate.
Impact
Guest attendance
Skyrocketed and exceeded expectations with more than 11,000 guests in January 2015
New Technology
Exhibits include a glasses-free 3D film experience
7 Awards Total
2012 Finalist
Design Edge Award for Environmental Design
2013 Los Angeles Business Council Los Angeles Architectural Awards
Award of Excellence
The Goal
The Sunnylands Estate, once reserved as a private retreat for the Annenberg family, opened its doors to the public as a must-see historic site and architectural masterpiece. R&P was commissioned to design the exhibits, media, and wayfinding at the new Visitor Center, built to accommodate the considerable expected crowds. The new elements are not just exemplars of modern design, but also complement the building architecture, integrate the Sunnylands’ brand identity, meet the latest accessibility standards, and are constructed to withstand the unforgiving desert elements.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
The Design
R&P delivered a bold, modern design for the Center’s new interpretive exhibits and wayfinding system, inspired by the building architecture and the mid-century modern design aesthetic. R&P designed the interior exhibits, graphics, branding, identity and all of the exterior site and landscape signage. We also coordinated the production of the extensive multi-media installations.
To reflect the Sunnylands brand and philosophy, the new exhibit panels featured geometric patterns, clean lines and sharp accents. The signs accent the elements in the built environment and the colors reference the native plants found in the desert garden. Along with aspects of the refreshed Sunnylands logo, R&P created a consistent visual language throughout, establishing a closer connection to the estate and its desert environment.
The Center is an example of sustainable design and its application to contemporary design in a desert environment. The LEED Gold building incorporates many ‘green’ technologies and sustainable materials in its construction and finishes, including the specially-designed Plyboo interactive media stations by R&P. For the construction of the other signs, durable powder-coated steel was used to stand up to the desert conditions, including sandstorms and harsh sunlight.
To complete the visitor experience, a state-of-the-art, glasses-free, 3D video tour of the Sunnylands residence and its development over time is included, marking the first use of this new technology in an exhibit.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
The Result
The Annenberg Estate and the Sunnylands Center and Gardens are American treasures with a high National profile. The commitment to the highest caliber of design by this internationally respected project team made it a special and challenging project, of which we are extremely proud.
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Case Study
The R&P design team worked closely with the building architects, Frederick Fisher & Partners, and other internationally renowned consultants to provide exhibit and signage design seamlessly integrated with the building architecture, interior furnishings, and the landscape design. There was extensive interaction with the client’s Board of Trustees, their advisors, and the architectural / engineering team to fine-tune the design to the most exacting standards. The exhibit design team, media producers, and fabricators were also able to establish a collaborative process that was both timely and effective, sustained throughout the project.
We are currently recovering from our third ‘high season’ operation and have continued to experience increases in visitation and overwhelmingly positive response to the site. Thanks for your work in making the Center & Gardens such a success.Janice Lyle, Director, The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands
Photo courtesy of Kerun Ip
Corporate Identity & Stationary
Several identity versions previously existed, causing confusion with the brand application. R&P standardized and refreshed the identity to achieve a more modern feel for better longevity and wider applications. A Standards Manual was developed outlining identity details, colors, typeface, and best practices for applications. This included a full set of business forms and collateral material.
