Elmwood Park Zoo Welcome Center
Relative Scale created eight original media experiences with bilingual functionality for the newly imagined Welcome Center, inspiring guests to connect with wildlife, discover work that happens behind the scenes, and understand how every visit can make a difference.
Guests engage with the “We Are All Connected” story through four interactive touchscreens, exploring species-based stories that reflect the zoo’s core values of care, conservation, and connection. As visitors dive deeper, corresponding overhead lightboxes shift color to reflect the theme, creating a sensory-rich atmosphere that’s both educational and emotional.
The Treatment Room offers a rare glimpse into real-time veterinary care. Layered media experiences help guests understand the complexity and compassion behind animal treatment. Kiosks let guests explore themed stories—Past Procedures, Tools We Use, Meet the Staff, Preventative Health, and Providing Care—that provide context for what’s happening inside.
Treatment Room Overheads shift between two modes: offline mode displays educational content and a schedule; live mode shows real-time medical feeds, patient info, and a QR code for audience questions.
Veterinary staff and docents use the Docent Tablet to manage screen content, update procedure details, and receive guest questions, creating a responsive, interactive experience.
The Commissary Overhead Array showcases animal meal prep through a playlist of images, facts, and videos—highlighting nutrition as a key part of animal care.
The Partners in Care Kiosk shares personal video stories from medical teams, therapists, and families, emphasizing teamwork, empathy, and communication in veterinary medicine.
Relative Scale has been a wonderful partner in advancing our educational program at the zoo through the development of interactive displays.
Director of Animal Care
Association of Zoos & Museums:
Facility – Innovation Award
PROJECT TEAM
Exhibit Design:
Chad Tyler Design
Exhibit Fabrication:
Hadley Exhibits
AV Integration:
MTG