Bay Area Discovery Museum - San Francisco, CA
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PureBond®PlywoodLEED®MuseumCommercial InteriorsArchitectureCustom InteriorsUnited StatesCaliforniaSan Francisco
Sustainable Materials for Interactive Learning Environments
The Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) is a nationally recognized children’s museum dedicated to interactive learning experiences that spark curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Located at Fort Baker in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the museum welcomes more than 350,000 visitors annually, offering hands-on exhibits in one of the most iconic settings in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Columbia Forest Products was honored to be a part of the renovation and expansion of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, supporting a design vision that blends sustainability, architectural innovation, and playful exploration for children of all ages.
“When I first set foot on the property and saw what is arguably one of the most spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, I was astounded to learn what was once a World War I military installation was now a learning campus for children. I was excited about the opportunity to renovate the Bay Area Discovery Museum and align Olson Kundig’s design with their visionary education theories and practices.” – Alan Maskin, Design Principal
Designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm Olson Kundig, the museum was transformed into a world-class learning campus for children, while preserving the historic integrity of the Fort Baker site it sits upon.
The design draws inspiration directly from the surrounding landscape—San Francisco Bay, rugged coastline, and wooded terrain—creating immersive interior environments that help children connect architecture, nature, and learning through play.
Columbia Forest Products’ Role in the Project
Columbia Forest Products hardwood plywood was used throughout the museum to help bring Olson Kundig’s design vision to life. It was used to imitate the rocky shoreline and coastal environment and woodland forests of the Bay Area in playrooms.
Columbia Forest Products can also be found in the Try It Studio and the Think, Make,Try® Classroom, which use playful, hands-on experiences to build on STEM learning concepts and introduce children to digital fabrication technologies like 3D printers and vinyl cutters. A giant music box and drawing arm teach children how trial and error leads to new results.
“The museum uses an expression, Think, Make,Try®, to represent the engineering design process, and the exhibits give children an opportunity to apply that process. The music box asks kids to plan ahead, placing and adjusting pegs to create a melody, while the drawing arm allows them to see how changing variables results in a different output. They’re learning about cause and effect — effectively, they’re learning the first steps of coding!” – Marlene Chen, AIA, LEED AP, Project Manager (on Try It Studio).
Sustainable Hardwood Plywood for Commercial and Educational Spaces
As a leading manufacturer of responsibly produced hardwood plywood, Columbia Forest Products is proud to supply materials that meet the performance demands of commercial interiors, museums, and educational facilities. The plywood used in the Bay Area Discovery Museum renovation provided:
- Long-lasting durability for public spaces
- Warm, natural aesthetics for child-centered environments
- Compatibility with sustainability-focused design goals
This project reflects Columbia’s broader commitment to supporting architects and designers who create spaces that educate, inspire, and endure.
Project Credits:
Project Team: Alan Maskin, Design Principal; Marlene Chen, AIA, LEED® AP, Project Manager; Megan Zimmerman, Project Architect; Crystal Coleman, LEED® AP, and Jerome Tryon, Architectural Staff; Ryan Botts, Tessa Crespo and Jared Luther, Exhibit Designers; Sarah Muchow, IIDA, NCIDQ, Interior Design; Mike Lee, Interior Design Staff
Key Consultants: Cello Maudru, General Contractor; Whiteside Management, Owner’s Representative; Rutherford & Chekene, Structural Engineer (Phase 1 Architecture); Tipping Engineering, Structural Engineer (Phase 2 Architecture & Exhibits); Integral Design, MEP Engineer; AECOM, Civil Engineer; Surfacedesign, Landscape Architect; Pacific Studio, Exhibit Fabricator (Interior Exhibits); Gizmo Art Production, Exhibit Fabricator (Exterior Exhibits); Niteo, Lighting Design; Topflight, Specifications; Volume, Graphic Design, Wayfinding and Signage; Spaulding Wooden Boat Center, Boat Restoration
Photographer Credit: Matthew Millman
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