Legends of Smith Tower

Smith Tower is a historic office tower in the Pioneer Square District of Seattle and remains a landmark with a rich and shadowy history of events that took place there.

Interpretive Place-making in Historic Settings

Research revealed that an intriguing storyline could be developed focused on the murky world of real-life bootleggers who operated out of Smith Tower in the 1920s. Relevant spaces were identified within the building that could be strung together into a self-guided tour experience, culminating at the penthouse observatory level. These spaces were authentically rendered to depict the historic settings where the events of the narrative unfolded. Visitors wind their way through these immersive settings to discover audio dramas, miniature dioramas, and interactive props that slowly reveal the presence of a bootlegging operation. The climax of the experience occurred at the original exotically crafted Chinese Room serving as an exclusive speakeasy venue with stunning views of the Seattle cityscape.

https://www.smithtower.com/observatory-and-bar.php

Roles & Responsibility

+ Originated and pitched design concept for mystery tour

+ Developed architectural layout and visitor flow

+ Designed stylized historic sets

+ Art directed content development, graphic design and media design

+ Coordinated with architectural, electrical, signal, and lighting design

+ Supervised fabrication & installation

Project Design Team

Gallagher & Associates – Exhibition Design

Earprint Immersive - Media Design & Production

Pacific Studio - Exhibition Fabrication