Navigating Central California’s maritime history and culture.
For the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, EDX helped celebrate the region’s identity as a seafaring and surfing Mecca—from a museum master plan to three permanent exhibits that capture facets of its history and culture. Beginning with an analysis of the existing facility, EDX made recommendations for unifying interpretive themes, new thematic organization, and more efficient and impactful use of space. Our proposal included a new atrium entry space that unites two museum buildings.
Our first exhibit examined the natural environment of the central California coast and its relationship to human populations. For our second exhibit, “Safety at Sea,” EDX focused on the fascinating array of skills and tools a mariner needs to navigate ocean waters. A third exhibit celebrates surfing in Santa Barbara, from the legendary surf spots to the filmmakers that spread the sport to the world. The exhibit profiles Santa Barbara’s champion surfers, educates about technique, equipment, and board technology, and allows visitors to hang ten on a real board.
