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Buffalove: Discovering the Heart and Soul of the Queen City A Reimagining of the Visitor Center by Sarah Elizabeth Kost B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Technology, May 2014, University at Buffalo A Thesis submitted to The Faculty of The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences of The George Washington University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts August 31st, 2017 Thesis directed by Clare Brown Program Head and Assistant Professor of Exhibition Design © Copyright 2017 by Sawyer Kost All rights reserved ii Dedication The author wishes to dedicate this thesis to Professor Clare Brown, for her steadfast belief and support throughout this process; Sasha Velour, for her constant inspiration, artistry and willingness to never give up or compromise; and to Ryan Cody, for his encouragement, friendship and inspiration. Acknowledgements The author wishes to acknowledge the following people: my family and friends back home, for their support and love of Buffalo and the author herself, which inspired this thesis, and its completion. Clare Brown, Corey Bernat and Nigel Briggs for their support throughout many changes in topic and focus, their wisdom, creativity and understanding, and the ability to say “No, try again.” The design cohort of the Corcoran- with always open hearts, ears and minds for each other’s process and struggle. This thesis would not have been what it is without this strong, brilliant group of designers. Hillary Rochon, for her encouragement, laughs, and her ability to constantly think outside the box. Kyle Andreas and Alex Leary for many beers, brunches, and shoulders to cry on. The favor will be returned during your thesis. And finally, Ian Gildea – although our paths may have been different, this degree and thesis would not have been possible without your support, love, and understanding. Abstract of Thesis Buffalove: Discovering the Heart and Soul of the Queen City What makes a great visitor center experience? What draws a visitor to a place? Why do we visit different places? The answer is simple – to feel a new sense of belonging. To feel like you have learned something special about where you are. To start your adventure in the right direction. Standard visitor centers have gained a miserable reputation. They are boring, run- down and empty. In the modern information age of smart phones and the Internet – they have been left behind. The visitor centers of tomorrow will be the heart and soul of the city/park/place they are welcoming you to. They will give visitors a local’s perspective, a sense of belonging and welcome, and will make them feel right at home. This project will focus on transforming a local reclaimed landmark – the Central Terminal in Buffalo, NY – into a thriving, community-based cultural center. Visitor Centers should not remain empty shells of information, but instead become the living, breathing beginning of a traveler’s journey. Table of Contents Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv Abstract v List of Figures vii Introduction 1 Exhibition Overview 8 Message 9 Interpretive Strategies 11 Site 12 Audience 16 Narrative 18 Experience 22 Design Designing Visitor Centers 23 Use of Space 24 Design Strategies 26 Exhibition Design 27 Overall Building Use 31 Beyond the Building 34 Conclusions 36 Bibliography 38 Appendix 41-63 vi List of Figures Figure 1: Buffalo Comprehensive Plan Implantation 13 Figure 2: Buffalo Central Terminal 15 Figure 3: Google Earth Image 31 Drawing A: Entrance Design 27 Drawing B: Main Installation Design 28 Drawing C: Adventure Station Design 29 Drawing D: Graphic Design 30 Drawing E: Floor Plan 32 Drawing F: Outside Installations 35 Drawing G: Screen Example 35 vii Introduction Visitor Centers: Forgotten, but not gone. On the side of the highway on Route 83 in Central Pennsylvania, between the row houses, Sheetz gas stations, and adult video stores – sits a lonely blue building. 1960’s style architecture meets with run down small town vibes as the parking lot and building sit empty. The occasional car stops for a bathroom break or a smoke. Inside, the kind older couple at the counter greets you, and directs you to any information you may need. That is, if you even get that far. Maps gather dust. Brochures curve with time and humidity. When you cross into the state from Maryland, New York or Ohio, these buildings greet you. Remnants of a bygone era of road trips, family outings and national park excursions. As a part of the federal infrastructure, visitor centers once served a high purpose; to inform, educate and inspire. They were the doors into a new world, a new place, a great destination. But now, in the modern era, we see them only as building in the way of our next adventure. In the age of the cell phone and the internet, what is the use of a visitor center? Is there a need and ability to bring these forgotten spaces into the 21st century? Throughout the country, and the world – the answer seems to be “Yes.” There is a push and a desire to see visitor and community centers through new eyes, and to look at them not as stopping points, but as destinations. Buffalo, NY: The Queen City Hell is not a myth. We spend each winter there. No one can prepare. - “Map Change” Every Time I Die There’s something about growing up and living in a place where no one wants to live – it engenders in you this sense of survival, strength, and even twisted pride. Buffalo is a place like that. The seemingly forgotten city on the lake, the butt of every sports joke, the city covered in snow. The people from this town will stand and fight for their home, and will go down swinging. In a sea of racial and cultural divisions, poverty, failing infrastructure and sports teams who will never ever succeed – there is still hope. Many “Rust Belt” cities can relate to this feeling – Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Detroit. These places once thrived and were sites of extraordinary events and people and history – now covered in literal and emotional rust. But the people from these places have one thing in common. Loyalty. No matter where you go in the world or in the country, when encountering someone from these places, especially Buffalo, they are from that city first. That place is home, no matter where they may lay their head at night. Buffalo is a place for survivors. Hard-headed, warm-hearted survivors. Each winter, each failed super bowl run, each year that passes without improvement. There is belief in tomorrow, belief in a better future. And that, is what makes the Queen City- my home. Relevance There is no better time than right now to re-use a forgotten place in Buffalo as a visitor center. Currently, there is not a place solely dedicated to orientating and educating the visitor as to the history and culture and people of Buffalo. Some of the historic homes and buildings within the city have some information about the city at large, but there is no dedicated space within the area to just the city. Also, the city of Buffalo has a history and great reputation of taken forgotten landmarks and buildings and repurposing them. The once abandoned grain elevators of the waterfront district have now become painted landmarks and a surface for lighting and projection design during events. The people within the city of Buffalo always want to find new and exciting ways to celebrate where they live, and to give back to their city. They also tend to stand behind home-grown endeavors, and local people and projects. The city also is going through a time of rebirth and growth. Outsiders have noticed the potential and opportunity that the people within the city have always known about. Giving the people visiting the city and the people who live there a place to celebrate, gather and learn about the city of Buffalo is something many believe has been missing for a long time, and will be welcomed with open arms. “Buffalo’s secret is that its secretly great. Not for everyone of course, and not across racial divides, and sometimes literally...not east of Main Street. But it has those beautiful old Olmsted bones. Now, our trees are returning, as is our waterfront, and many of our historic homes and institutions are intact or being refurbished. Filmmakers are starting to notice the uniqueness of our architecture and our landscape and are increasingly using Buffalo as a backdrop. Eighty-five percent of us live within a ten-minute walk of a park. Our food and music scenes are electric, and we’re still a nurturing and affordable home for artists. It’s a fine place to be, right here, right now.” - Jody K. Biehl Visitor Centers Visitor Centers serve as portals to a “spirit of place”. With the expansion West in the 1800’s, Americans suddenly were faced with a new challenge. How to explore, learn about and understand these new places. With railroads and other forms of travel expanding, there was more and more opportunity for all classes of people within the United States to visit places like Yellowstone National Park and beyond. With images of Whitman and Thoreau in their heads, Americans from far and wide took to these new places with wide-eyed wonder. While they had means and opportunity- what the parks and other destinations did not have was interpretation. In 1883, Congress saw this need and began to appropriate funds and resources to hire assistants to keep up the parks, and to be their voice. Early interpretations of parks relied little on science and more on personal experience, however.

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