Sharyn Horowitz << back to resume

Project: Polymer Funhouse

Client: Great Lakes Science Center

Role: Concept Developer & Writer, Master Plan

Challenge: Attract & inspire potential funders

Northeast Ohio is a leader in polymer research, and the planning team wanted to showcase this strength in the Great Lakes Science Center. I conceived of a colorful futuristic structure, built completely from polymeric materials that would offer the chaotic feel of a carnival funhouse while remaining safe and wheelchair-accessible.

The range of products available presented hundreds of possibilities for the Funhouse... Zip down a Teflon-coated slide into a pile of "Giant Buckyballs" (3 inch hollow plastic balls)... Take a walk on aerogel, a superstrong polymer that weighs next to nothing and looks like a puff of smoke... Compare the strength of wide balance beams, one metal and one polymer... Open and close a liquid crystal window.

Visit the Great Lakes Science Center site for description of how this idea was realized.