PHOENIX (May 21, 2010) – Children and adults alike will soon have the opportunity to experience the brand-new, interactive learning environment, Solarville in the APS Solar Gallery, which will debut at the Arizona Science Center on Sunday, May 23. Solarville is an interactive learning environment demonstrating sun, wind, and algae as alternative energy sources. Sponsored by APS, the original concepts for Solarville were designed by local creative firm, Campbell Fisher Design (CFD) and the project was fabricated by Detail Design and Fabrication (DD&F.)

CFD’s creative direction was centered on taking a trip through a town called Solarville, an eco-friendly environment located in the APS Solar Gallery on Level 4. Guests stroll down Main Street, pass a transit station, industrial park, retail store, school, recreational area and a home while learning how solar and other renewable energy sources can be utilized in their daily lives.

“We were awarded the opportunity to transform a dark and non-traditional educational space into a bright and energetic learning experience that is not only fun and engaging, but teaches kids and adults about renewable energy and conservation,” said Greg Fisher, owner of Campbell Fisher Design.

DD&F worked closely with CFD, further enhancing the creativity of the project and bringing the exhibit to life. The colorful hallway is approximately 1800 square foot, 10 feet wide x 180 feet long and consists of 22 interactive kiosks and exhibits. Although DD&F remodeled or updated some of the exhibits, others were completely brand new concepts.

The exhibits and interactive elements that DD&F fabricated range from scientific labs that study the sun, interactive learning kiosks, as well as ways to show how we can harness and distribute sustainable green energy – from algae, to alternative fuels, to poop! Other exhibits allow participants to create power, such as the “Pedal Power” exhibit where bikes were designed to show human power and the efficiency difference of LED vs. CFL vs. incandescent lighting.

In addition to the interactive elements, DD&F also fabricated and installed the gallery signage, imaging and ceiling treatments in-house. Vertical wall extensions were accomplished by using full-color digitally printed banners. The additional 10 feet of printed graphic extended the overall height to 20 feet. Design elements such as stretch canvas triangles were used as a ceiling treatment to bring the space together.

“We were honored to team up with CFD to fabricate this exhibit for APS and Arizona Science Center,” said Shad Bruce, owner of DD&F. “We have enjoyed working with the Arizona Science Center on a variety of different exhibits and projects the past few years and Solarville was a very stimulating and challenging adventure. DD&F was able to take part in a very large science project, and we are all very pleased with the outcome of Solarville.”

ABOUT DD&F
DD&F specialties include innovative signage, interactive exhibits, kiosks, trade show booths, and all aspects of 3D components for interior or exterior environments, such as retail centers, sales offices and sports facilities. Some of their clients include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix International Raceway, Arizona Cardinals, Pulte Homes, Westcor, and Children’s Museum of Phoenix. For more information, please visit their website at www.ddandf.com.

ABOUT CFD
Since 1982 Campbell Fisher Design has been a nationally-recognized graphic design firm that provides superior vision, exceptional creativity and award-winning design to clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to major sports franchises to trend-setting e-commerce firms.

CFD’s outstanding reputation in local and national brand development, brand launching and new media is the result of a conscious decision to produce the best—rather than the most—work in their field. This unwavering commitment to exceed client expectations through strategic planning has earned CFD the distinction of having developed, launched and promoted some of the country’s most recognized brands.

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Media Contact:
Morgan Vanderwall
KWPR Group
574-370-8163
morgan@kwprgroup.com

DD&F created this Xylonphone out of recycled autoparts

Children’s Museum of Phoenix Unveils Interactive Transportation-Themed Exhibit

Local design and fabrication studio brings kid-friendly workshop to life with countless moving pieces.

Tempe, Ariz. (June 25, 2008) – Detail Design and Fabrication, Inc. ( DD&F ), a local creative fabrication studio teamed up with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix to mastermind and install a highly interactive transportation-themed exhibit to capture the imagination and provide a variety of hands-on activities for curious youngsters. Located in the historic Monroe schoolhouse in downtown Phoenix, the museum opened to the public this month and caters to children up to age 10. “After scoring great feedback on the children’s themed environment we designed and installed at Chase Field last month, we wanted to ‘one up’ ourselves,” said Shad Bruce, president of DD&F. “This project
has stretched the imagination of an already clever and creative team. It absolutely makes you want to be a kid again.”

Ideas began flowing 14 months ago when DD&F was challenged to design, fabricate and implement the transportation-themed workshop for young children. The workshop features a three-level mezzanine with race tracks stemming from each level, a sprint car with moving engine parts that kids can touch and adjust, a vintage motorcycle with a removable tire, as well as various musical instruments made from real reclaimed car and shop parts. Kids will also be able to ride through the trike wash, which emulates an actual car wash with rotating and moving parts that resemble water hoses, brushes and air-dryers. Parents can kick back and relax on a full-size Chevy truck bed cut down, re-framed and repainted. “I remember, as a kid hanging out with my dad, being absolutely mesmerized by everything from sprockets, gaskets to engines. I think it’s safe to say most kids love cars. This is more than 1,200 square feet of kid-friendly interactive bliss,” said Bruce.

About Detail Design and Fabrication, Inc. ( DD&F )
DD&F specialties include innovative signage, interactive exhibits, kiosks, trade show booths, and all
aspects of 3D components for interior or exterior environments, such as retail centers, sales offices and
sports facilities. For more information, please visit their newly renovated website at www.ddandf.com.

Media contact:
Kelly Wood
KWPR Group
480-239-0109
kelly@kwprgroup.com

Our Master of Disaster (Shad Bruce) in action, testing this hand crank xylophone designed and created by DD&F as the prototype for Children’s Museum of Phoenix. This was a beginning of an amazing project and led us to many more ideas for the “Pit Stop”.

Random project photos taken in our studio during production:

detail design and fabrication, inc | ddandf | dd&f

Interactive Transportation-Themed “Pit Stop”
Exhibit for Kids Proves to be Irresistible

All kids love machines.  The more moving parts, the better!  That’s why Children’s Museum of Phoenix (CMOP) recently teamed up with Detail Design and Fabrication, Inc. ( DD&F ) to mastermind more than 1,200 square feet of kid-friendly interactive bliss for little visitors.

The creative juices began flowing on this exhibit in April 2007 when CMOP challenged DD&F to design, fabricate and install a transportation-themed workshop for young children.  The DD&F team, which happens to be comprised of some serious automobile fanatics, couldn’t pass up this opportunity.  They immediately began brainstorming and accessing their own childhood memories to sculpt the project and bring it to life in a BIG way.

The DD&F team wanted to produce an environment that was both a fun and stimulating space for visitors.  Their goals were simple, but challenging.  They wanted to construct a safe and inspiring setting for young children while creating unique ways in which to make it a learning environment that supports a child’s physical, emotional and social development.

The result was “The Pit Stop,” as the exhibit came to be called.  The exhibit is not only fun, but also challenges children intellectually as they have the opportunity to experiment with size, shape and weight.

Guests enter the three-level mezzanine workshop to find race tracks stemming from each level. Immersed in this “race experience,” children find a very brightly-colored environment with springs, gadgets, wheels, and more than 55 feet of the race track created using natural wood scale model cars.

The space is full of activity, such as a sprint car races with moving engine parts that kids can touch and adjust.  There is a vintage motorcycle with a removable tire and a variety of musical instruments made from actual reclaimed cars and real auto shop tools and trappings.

On another floor, children are able to ride through a “trike wash,” which emulates an actual carwash with rotating and moving parts that resemble water hoses, brushes and air-dryers.  And parents can watch their child’s excited reactions to all the moving parts as they kick back on a full-size Chevy truck bed that has been cut down, re-framed and repainted to create a seating area.

In addition to infusing this exhibit with plenty of “cool factor,” DD&F demonstrated its commitment to “reuse, recycle, and repurpose” by utilizing materials that could be pulled from auto junk yards and auto shops, cleaned and refurbished.

In fact, more than 2,800 pounds of junkyard steel was reused in this exhibit.  A vintage race car chassis was revitalized.  Scrap vintage tools were repurposed to create a xylophone and hand levers.  “The Pit Stop” exhibit also features over 550 square feet of recycled rubber flooring.

“Any visitor can see that the DD&F team enjoyed creating The Pit Stop. The ingenuity and attention to detail is phenomenal,” said Nancy Stice, director of exhibits for the Museum.

CMOP hosts visitors and locals from all around the Valley.  And DD&F is proud that for years to come children will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and revel in the joy of this interactive transportation-themed experience.

detail design and fabrication, inc. | ddandf | dd&f | creators of cool stuff