The New Orlando Science Center: world class ... by design.(From the Ground Up)(Cover Story)

Touring the new Orlando Science Center, it is hard to imagine the amount of work expended by the entire project team. It began with key members of the Orlando Science Center's board, administration and staff. As the project concept grew, the team included numerous government officials, members of the surrounding educational communities, and rounded out by experienced design and construction professionals.

The success of this project was orchestrated as a team effort from the very beginning. This required a collaborative design and partnering mind set from each member of the project team, led by members the Orlando Science Center staff, and key members of the architectural design team, Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. and the construction team of Baker Mellon Stuart Construction, Inc. The result is a world-class facility not only for the children and families of Central Florida, but also for the national and international community that visits and transacts business in Orlando and other Central Florida communities.

Community unites to realize a world-class dream

The Orlando mayor and city council, the school board of Orange County public schools and the Board of Trustees of the Orlando Science Center formed a collaborative agreement to facilitate the development and funding of the new Orlando Science Center. The city of Orlando provided a site for the new facilities in Loch Haven Park. Orange County Public Schools served as the jurisdictional agent for the Department of Education. The Orlando Science Center Board and staff served as the contracting agent for professional architectural, engineering and construction services.

Funding of new center is a collaborative effort

Florida's Department of Education, through Peco Funding, provided $16 million with the requirement of another matching $16 million. This came from a cooperative effort of the City of Orlando; Seminole County public schools; Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties; and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation. With $32 million in hand, past OSC Board Chairman and past president of Martin Marietta, Walt Lowrie and staff, approached the corporate community with the challenge of an additional $12 million to complete the financial needs of this world-class facility. The response was again a successful collaborative partnership with the results being realized with the completed facilities.

OSC selects an architect with international practice

A short 3-1/2 years ago, OSC invited nationally known architectural firms to submit qualifications to lead the design of the new Orlando Science Center. Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. (HHCP) of Maitland, a 22-year-old architectural, interior design and planning firm was selected to design the new facilities. With a regional practice in educational facilities design (from kindergarten through university campuses) and an international practice in theme park design, HHCP was …