Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center is the world’s premiere spaceport, and its Visitor Complex is a portal into the real-life, behind-the-scenes world of astronauts, rockets, and the exploration of space.
PGAV Destinations developed a 10-year strategic master plan for future improvements to the site, including several significant new attraction elements and other enhancements to the visitor experience. The scope included strategic planning and design of numerous exhibits, behind-the-scenes guided tours, live presentations, dining, shopping, and special event products intended to achieve the educational mission of NASA and the complex’s business objectives.
The first product from the master plan was an updated entry plaza featuring brand-new themed dining, retail, and memory-making icons. The entrance incorporates a grand entry plaza, a 75-foot-long, 5,000-gallon fountain, and a completely redesigned ticket station, increasing guest flow with will-call and guest services stations. New offerings like the “Voyagers” retail shop provide rich new opportunities for visitors before they’ve even set foot inside.
PGAV served as the principal storytelling and design firm for an exhibit celebrating the site’s newest addition: the Space Shuttle Atlantis, one of only three remaining space-flown orbiters, and the last to launch into space. One of the most celebrated components of the attraction is the grand reveal of Atlantis to guests, seamlessly blended into the climax of a thrilling pre-show in a one-of-a-kind wraparound theater. More than 60 interactive exhibits and high-tech simulators bring to life the complex systems and components behind the Shuttle Program, an incredible feat of engineering.
PGAV also served as the architect, retail, and graphic designer for the exhibit’s 4,000-square-foot gift and souvenir shop, where official mission badges, models, clothing and keepsakes live among artwork by children and teens depicting their visions of spaceflight’s future.
Fun Fact
Dreamlike graphics throughout the Space Shuttle Atlantis gift shop are real drawings from the children of PGAV employees, as well as winners from a NASA “Imagine Your Journey to Space” contest.
Awards and Achievements
- Silver Award for Outstanding Creative Design, Creativity International Print and Packaging Design Awards
- Top MUSE Award in Multimedia Installation, American Alliance of Museums
- Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project, Visual Effects Society Awards
