Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Boston. This construction will stand quite close to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, with the purpose of attracting visitors to scout through both. The establishment is an effort by the U.S. government to encourage its people to know more about the role played by the Senate in the government.
The Institute covers an area of around 40,000 square feet, consisting mainly of classrooms, exhibition halls and a replica of the actual office of Senator Kennedy. The designing has been made such that it boasts of huge free space with greenery around, guiding visitors into the entrance of the construction. The plantation around is divided into two triangular parts, which naturally shows the visitors the way to the Institute and wonderfully connects the Institute to the Library. The outer open space appears as a link between the Institute, the Library and the University of Massachusetts, Boston. This outer space also connects with the Columbia Point waterfront and the Boston Harbor Walk, allowing visitors to have a stroll after visiting both galleries.
The entrance of the Institute exhibits exclusives of all 50 states and connects the construction with all of them. The Institute plans to host a Summer Senate program, where 100 students, two from each state, will come to the Institute to hold mock hearings and draft legislation. The establishment is an attempt by the government to show how the Senate operates, how laws are created and what it means to be a Senator. The Senate chamber representation is the main attraction of the Institute, which will provide learners with educational programming. With multi-player gaming, activated by 100 interactive desks, participants will be automatically induced deep into the system of legislation. This gaming program, designed in collaboration with game designer Eric Zimmerman, will guide groups through political history and thus engage its participants into negotiation and voting systems.
Via: E-Architect
