Clair Global plays key role in PNC initiative
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This is the vision of the team behind Whitaker Center in in Harrisburg, PA and Ted Black, president, and CEO of Whitaker Center, for the newly created, 7,000sq.ft PNC Innovation Zone.
Says Black, “We saw an opportunity within gaming for a perfect vehicle into learning.” The PNC Innovation Zone is a first in its category – a venue dedicated to experiential learning in disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and math for kids eight years and up, plus teens and others who may be “aging out” of the current offerings of the science centre here.
“Our vision was to create a purposeful gaming studio that attracts younger audiences and engages them at higher levels and to develop a space that fits more with Whitaker Center’s traditional initiative of bringing arts and science education together under one roof. The new PNC Innovation Zone does just that and then some.”
Whitaker Center partnered with Lititz, PA-based Clair Global Integration and nationally recognised, PA-based, educational architectural firm Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates (CR&A) to create, design, and build out the PNC Innovation Zone.
Shaun Clair, executive vice president of sales at Clair Global, says, “When we first learned about this visionary project, we immediately became interested in joining the design team and building out this space. As a global leader in technology and production, we were thrilled at the prospect of empowering young people to explore STEAM in a new and exciting way.”
Adds Joe Bunting, vice president of sales for Clair Global Integration, “It’s always important for us to interact with the community as much as we can. It fosters the next generation of people who will have the passion, specific knowledge, and experience to perhaps come work alongside us someday.”
Arif Hasanbhai, project manager from CR&A, says, “The goal of the project was to inspire, excite and empower a generation to connect in a digitally-infused world. The architecture was simply an extension of our whole team’s collective vision. A core value at our firm is that architecture and interior design are primarily about how people experience the built environment. So, it’s been rewarding to see this finished space delivering on its promise to the community.”
“When we first envisioned this project,” explains Black, “we knew we needed to do something special to make this “cool” so that it would appeal to teenagers and older learners who typically “age out” of our science centre. Getting Clair Global involved at this early design phase, versus having them come in at the end as a vendor, made a huge difference. They hypothesized and executed audio/visual solutions that none of us had considered.”
At full build out, the PNC Innovation Zone will have capacity for 30 high-end computer rigs which include a PC tower, screen, keyboard, mouse, and headphones. Each station features a connected desk, gaming chair and the ability to connect to one of the eight large screen TVs in the space. Whitaker Center already has its eyes set on 2023, now booking exciting educational student field trips to the Zone.
