Conservatory of Flowers
Multilingual interpretive signage highlights the wonders of tropical plants, enhancing lush flora and rare species at the Conservatory of Flowers.
Introductory signs in each gallery help orient visitors, highlighting the plants and habitats visitors will encounter in each space.
Inside a storied landmark building in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the Conservatory of Flowers transports visitors to the tropics. Lush galleries invite visitors to marvel at the sights, sounds, and smells of tropical orchids, ferns, palms, and aquatic plants.
Working with the Conservatory team, we developed plans to replace dated and worn signs with new multilingual interpretation. Content in English, Spanish, and Chinese welcomes diverse multigenerational visitors, improves accessibility, and helps visitors connect more deeply with the wild and wonderful ways that tropical ecosystems shape life on Earth.
Outdoor signage in Golden Gate Park introduces park visitors to the Conservatory of Flowers and dispels some of the mystery of this Victorian-era whitewashed building.
The Conservatory’s galleries offer an ever-changing palette of colorful flowers, climbing vines, and graceful leaves.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project Type & Size
Outdoor and in-gallery interpretive signage
Location
Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco, CA
Project Role
Project leadership, creative and editorial direction, fabrication oversight; capacity-building workshops on interpretive planning and writing
Collaborators
Content: Conservatory of Flowers staff
Design: Ashley Boycher, Klover Kim Design, Karina White Design
Fabrication: John Murray Productions
Swiftwing Studio led an interpretive planning workshop to guide the Conservatory team in articulating visitor experience and interpretive message priorities.
Swiftwing Studio led an interpretive planning workshop to guide the Conservatory team in articulating visitor experience and interpretive message priorities.
Swiftwing Studio led an interpretive planning workshop to guide the Conservatory team in articulating visitor experience and interpretive message priorities.
Swiftwing Studio worked with the Conservatory team to prototype signage locations, sizes, and formats.
Swiftwing Studio worked with the Conservatory team to prototype signage locations, sizes, and formats.
Swiftwing Studio worked with the Conservatory team to prototype signage locations, sizes, and formats.
We led an interpretive writing workshop to help the Conservatory refine their stories and explore their voice and tone.
The design team produced full-scale design prototypes to confirm design direction, sizes and locations.
The Conservatory's education and horticulture staff collaborated with the design team to balance visitor experience priorities with operational realities.
The Conservatory's education and horticulture staff collaborated with the design team to balance visitor experience priorities with operational realities.
The design team produced full-scale design prototypes to confirm design direction, sizes and locations.
John Murray Productions fabricated and installed new interpretive signage.
John Murray Productions fabricated and installed new interpretive signage.
Image credits: © Swiftwing Studio, Klover Kim Design