The flooring design for Port Wonder Children’s Museum in Lake Charles masterfully blends functionality, durability, and playful aesthetics to create a dynamic, engaging space for children and families. A combination of carpet tiles, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and traditional tile was carefully selected to define distinct zones throughout the large facility, ensuring each area has a unique identity while maintaining overall design cohesion.
Vibrant carpet tiles were utilized in interactive zones, fostering comfortable, inviting spaces with bold, playful colors that align with the museum’s educational and creative themes. In high-traffic learning rooms, LVT was chosen for its durability and versatility, featuring designs that subtly guide visitors through various sections of the museum. Traditional tile complements these materials in select areas, adding a layer of sophistication while enhancing functionality.
This innovative approach to flooring creates a child-friendly environment that balances practicality with visual appeal, elevating the overall visitor experience. By seamlessly integrating design and performance, this project sets a benchmark for excellence in flooring within large-scale, interactive public spaces.
Nancy Thiel, founder and principal of Thiel Architecture + Design, is a licensed architect and an interior designer. With 40+ years’ experience working with luminaries in the architecture world, including Michael Graves, Robert A.M. Stern, and Rockwell Group, where she served as a studio leader, Thiel’s extensive portfolio includes single-family homes and multi-story residences, hotels, restaurants, retail, fitness clubs, offices, theaters, schools and shopping centers. She is a member of the AIA, holds NCARB certification and is a LEED accredited professional. Prior to her career in architecture, Thiel was a dancer and choreographer.
Thiel Architecture + Design is an award-winning multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design, planning, and product design firm with offices in CT and NY. The firm’s work focuses on high-end residential design as well as hospitality, contract, and retail projects. Thiel Architecture + Design’s work has been featured in Interior Design, Architype, New York and Connecticut Cottages and Gardens, Connecticut Magazine, Archello, and Fast Company magazines. In 2022, the firm received a Connecticut AIA Excellence award for Interior Architecture. Thiel earned a BA from Penn State University and her Master of Architecture degree from Syracuse University.
