The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) today announced the selection of Local Projects as the exhibit designer for the MOSH Genesis project.

Local Projects will oversee the planning, design and fabrication of the permanent exhibitions at MOSH’s new location, which will be developed at the Shipyards East area on the Northbank of Downtown Jacksonville. The firm brings national, award-winning exhibit and experience design credentials to the project, including work on behalf of cultural and educational institutions like Planet Word, the world’s first voice-activated museum; Greenwood Rising, an interactive museum that tells the story of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre; the National September 11 Memorial & Museum; and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“MOSH Genesis continues to attract the highest caliber of project partners, and we are proud to welcome Local Projects to the team,” said Bruce Fafard, President and CEO of MOSH. “Their studio develops creative exhibitions that become must-visit experiences. MOSH, and the hundreds of thousands of visitors it serves each year, will benefit immensely from their expertise.”

The new MOSH plans include approximately 22,500 square feet of permanent exhibition spaces, comprising three themed exhibition spaces that are central to the MOSH mission: the Natural Ecosystem, the Cultural Ecosystem and the Innovation Ecosystem. Local Projects will work with MOSH leadership, the MOSH Genesis project architect team (DLR Group, kasper architects + associates, and SCAPE), community partners and subject matter experts to create the exhibitions for each area.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to collaborate with the MOSH and their selected design team. Rarely does a project have this combination of world-class design and highly localized content and community focus. This unique aspect is what has truly inspired our studio throughout the selection process, ” said Whitney Rutter, CEO of Local Projects.

“The MOSH Genesis project represents limitless opportunities to craft the region’s unique scientific and historical story into a dynamic, next-generation visitor experience. We were most impressed by MOSH’s commitment to reflecting the stories and perspectives of the diverse population that it serves. We’re ready to get to work,” said Eric Mika, Creative Director of Local Projects.

MOSH has operated in its current location on the Southbank of Downtown Jacksonville since 1969. The Museum’s operations have outgrown the 77,000-square-foot facility; building a new Museum will significantly expand the organization’s capacity to serve more students and visitors. Early projections estimate that by building a new facility at the Jacksonville Shipyards, MOSH will be able to serve 58,000 students (a 50% increase over pre-pandemic numbers) and 469,000 visitors (a 168% increase) each year.