Stella, Kiewit Luminarium

Stella is a large, immersive stellated icosahedron exhibit at the Kiewit Luminarium. Suspended from the second floor, it greets visitors upon arrival and establishes the tone for an engaging experience in this hybrid museum and workshop in Omaha, Nebraska. The design team conceived Stella during the project’s earliest phases, envisioning an unforgettable first impression—an immersive exhibit visible even as visitors approach the building’s entrance. Once inside, guests move toward Stella across a glass platform spanning the main entry. A semi-translucent floor and glass guardrail heighten the perception that the exhibit is floating while maintaining a safe and clear path forward. As visitors reach the final steps, light disperses through Stella’s triangular translucent panels, creating a vivid spectrum of color. Close collaboration among exhibit designers, fabricators, and engineers ensured that Stella became integral to the building’s architecture rather than a standalone object. The star-shaped form is composed of twenty vibrant faces, with colors inspired by nearby exhibits exploring CMYK and the science of light. Translucent acrylic panels fill the space with color and reinforce the concept of layering new discoveries onto foundational knowledge. Lighting options were carefully simulated using a physics-based rendering workflow to ensure accurate performance before fabrication. Frosted panels are strategically placed to reduce glare from lighting integrated within the web of structural steel above. The exhibit itself is supported by a discreet steel member that aligns with the building’s structure, while sprinkler piping is routed from below to preserve the geometry’s illusion of weightlessness. The surrounding interior is intentionally restrained, conceived as a quiet container for the immersive centerpiece. Simple and honest materials frame the experience without competing with it. At the entry level, a black band anchors the tall volume and subtly guides visitors deeper into the museum. Custom-milled plywood panels flank Stella, functioning as modular pegboards while providing a warm, tactile backdrop for exploration. Together, these elements transform Stella from a singular object into an experience that bridges architecture, science, and discovery. Acting as both landmark and learning tool, the installation captures the spirit of the Luminarium—inviting curiosity, exploration, and wonder from the moment visitors arrive.