Purdue University | CGT 31700 (Themed Attraction Design Planning & Communication)
Semester Final Project | Sand & Steel Museum ConceptPhase 1 Concept Strategy for a Regional Interpretive Museum Proposal
Sand & Steel Museum Concept was a rapid Phase 1 concept-development effort for a proposed interpretive museum in Northwest Indiana. Developed with Indiana Dunes tourism and regional steel-heritage stakeholders, the work produced a narrative-led concept package and live presentation that helped frame the project for inclusion in a broader RDA grant submission. My role focused on narrative architecture, deck structure, and translating fragmented stakeholder input into a coherent phased visitor-experience strategy.
Selected concept rendering from the original Phase 1 submission.
Project Snapshot:
Client / Stakeholders: Indiana Dunes Tourism + regional steel-heritage partners
Context: Phase 1 concept strategy for a real museum / placemaking initiative
Timeline: Multi-day sprint under evolving requirements
Deliverable: Narrative + concept visuals for grant-supporting materials
My Role: Narrative lead, deck structure, exhibit framing, presentation lead
Project Details:
Project Type: Regional museum / interpretive attraction concept
Site: Indiana Dunes / Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk
Focus: Storytelling, guest journey, exhibit programming, phased feasibility
Outcome: Elements later used in RDA grant submission support materials
Artifact: Phase 1 concept package (as submitted)
Design Challenge:
Build a credible external-facing concept under severe ambiguity
Requirements shifted repeatedly across a few days
The project moved from broad “shoot for the moon” ideation to a more constrained ~$1M Phase 1 framing
The team worked from incomplete scans, evolving artifact inventories, and partial site information
What I Led:
Built the narrative and deck structure for a Phase 1 concept package that framed the museum as a story-driven interpretive experience
Helped define the emotional arc: pride in the past, excitement for the present, hope for the future
Synthesized fragmented stakeholder inputs into five coherent exhibit concepts and a scalable phased implementation logic
Delivered the live concept presentation to client and partner stakeholders on an accelerated timeline
Why the Concept Worked:
Reframed a potentially polarizing “nature vs. industry” story into a more fundable and regionally resonant coexistence narrative
Balanced tourism, education, heritage, and sponsor sensitivity without overcommitting to politically loaded corporate branding
Structured the concept for phased implementation, making it credible within a moving budget envelope
Future Phase Refinement
A few pages intentionally remained at concept-level fidelity to prioritize narrative clarity and speed under a grant-driven timeline.
In a later design phase, I’d strengthen select “payoff” moments with more authoritative concept-board visuals, especially the Indiana Steel Builds America gallery.