GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center

the Opportunity

The GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center shares in the mission of GRAMMY nationwide—to explore and celebrate the enduring legacies of all forms of music; the creative process; the art and technology of the recording process; and the history of the GRAMMY Awards, with a focus on the continuing achievements of New Jersey-born artists. The exhibits feature a fusion of interactive technology and musical instruments—from timelines that slide to drums and guitars, karaoke, and a recording booth—all positioned to revitalize the community and inspire local music innovators. KSS optimized the architecture and form to support this experiential concept. Collaborating with a Design Architect located in LA, KSS generated digital models of the existing interior space in the Prudential Center so as to design casework tailored for all three dimensions.

Our Approach

Very early in the design process, KSS identified a two-story volume in the existing available space, which we strongly recommended to become the rotating exhibit gallery. This required a complete redesign of the plan resulting in a much more appropriate use of this architectural feature. Design impact focused on the exterior marquee, with the parallel goals of attracting visitors and layering into the existing arena facade. We found that a back-lit acrylic frame could offer iconic nighttime visibility while blending in with existing metallic finishes during the day. A protrusion of glass into the sidewalk also catches the eye of visitors approaching the oblique, without changing the elevation at all. KSS' solid relationship with the Newark building department and shepherded the drawings through permitting with no comments or changes. This allows for a rapid and smooth delivery process that expressed the design intent to the fullest extent.

Program

Exhibits featuring karaoke, interactive timelines, instrument booths, recording booth

Partners

Phelps Construction Group

Harrison-Hamnett Consulting Structural Engineers

Shine Engineering

Photography

Jeffrey Auger Photography