Techmania Science Center

Fakulta designu a umění Ladislava Sutnara Západočeské univerzity v Plzni - FDULS

Project idea

The goal of my design was to bring playfulness and color into the space, which it had previously lacked. Techmania is primarily an educational center for children, yet its interior did not reflect this purpose. The entrance hall is the first space every visitor encounters. With a height of over 10 meters, it offers great spatial potential. I focused on this area and introduced large iridescent PVC bubbles suspended throughout the upper part of the hall.

These bubbles also serve as an interactive element designed to briefly engage children while their parents purchase tickets. The bubbles are mapped with projectors that can change their colors, allowing children to be entertained for a few minutes through light and movement. This playful installation brings life to the entrance space and sets a positive tone for the entire visit.

I continued this theme of playful, rainbow-like colors in the adjacent gift and souvenir shop. To attract as many visitors as possible, I designed a colorful ceiling installation made of elastic cords, which creates a visually striking element above the shop area. This material is also used as a semi-transparent divider between the shop and the cloakroom, enhancing spatial dynamics while maintaining visibility. Additionally, the cords appear on one of the shop walls, where they serve as a flexible display system for showcasing Techmania’s promotional merchandise.

Project description

The Techmania Science Center project is a commission for the interior design of an interactive educational science center located in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The assignment includes the design of the foyer, reception, office, souvenir shop, and cloakroom.

The scope of the project covers spatial layout, furniture design, material selection, lighting, and the integration of interactive and visual elements. Each part of the space was designed to reflect the center’s educational mission while creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Special attention was given to the foyer and shop, where playful design features—such as projected light installations and colorful elastic structures—enhance the visitor experience and support Techmania’s identity as a place of discovery and inspiration.

Technical information

The design makes use of lightweight and durable materials suitable for high-traffic public spaces. The suspended bubbles in the foyer are made from translucent iridescent PVC foil, tensioned over custom lightweight frames and anchored to the ceiling using steel cables. The bubbles are mapped with projection technology that allows for dynamic color changes and interactive lighting effects.

The colorful ceiling installation in the souvenir shop consists of stretched elastic cords (gumolana) in a modular grid, fixed to a suspended frame. The same material is used to form a flexible dividing structure between the shop and the cloakroom, as well as a vertical display system on one of the shop’s walls.

All furniture is designed with modularity and easy maintenance in mind, using materials such as powder-coated steel, laminated plywood, and acrylic surfaces. Lighting includes both ambient and accent LED fixtures, integrated to support the visual atmosphere and highlight interactive elements.

The height of the entrance hall is approximately 10 meters, and the designed installation spans the upper 5 meters of the volume.