60In 1996, S2 Associates Inc. was established in Napa, California. Initially, it focused on environmental design with a specialty in museum exhibitions. Over the years, the firm expanded its services to include content development, conceptual and final exhibit design, production management, and fundraising renderings. A key milestone was reached in 1999 when Daniel Wodarcyk joined as a partner, bringing significant experience in museum exhibition planning and design. His addition strengthened S2’s presence in cultural and institutional exhibit work.
S2 Associates centers on developing interactive learning experiences with themes revolving around culture, technology, and science. The firm believes in close collaboration, integrating the client’s content expertise with S2’s design and development skills. This approach allows them to create unique and memorable exhibits for visitors.
Collaboration is a foundational value at S2 Associates. This approach was evident from the firm’s first large-scale project, The Tech Museum of Innovation, and continued through projects like the Liberty Science Center and Nevada Discovery Museum. The firm maintains long-standing relationships with exhibit producers and professionals across the country and internationally, which helps distinguish its work from other design firms.
Projects usually begin with a workshop with key stakeholders and various exhibit specialists, often hosted at S2’s studio by the Napa River. These sessions encourage open dialogue, goal alignment, and creative problem-solving early in the design process. Throughout a project, S2 prioritizes regular communication with the entire team to keep everyone informed and aligned.
Effective project management is key to S2’s operations. The firm carefully manages each project to ensure timely completion and budget adherence. This disciplined process results in interactive and engaging exhibits showcasing the firm’s commitment to quality.
S2 Associates’ in-house capabilities include exhibit master planning, stakeholder coordination, educational objective development, content research, concept and detailed design, and construction documentation. The firm employs advanced software tools such as Vectorworks CAD, AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, and Unreal Engine for modeling and visualization. Graphic design is managed with the Adobe Suite, while project coordination uses Smartsheet and Procore. Prototyping, 3D printing, and physical model building further support their exhibit development.
Noteworthy projects include the Innovation Gallery at The Tech Museum in San Jose, California. This 8,000-square-foot exhibit highlights five core innovations that shaped Silicon Valley: invention, microprocessing, robotics, lasers, and software.
S2 also played a significant role in the Nevada Discovery Museum, which serves children aged eight to twelve and features a toddler gallery. The exhibits cover Northern Nevada’s natural history, sustainable building, art, and invention, all designed for hands-on interaction.
Another significant project is the Skyscraper! Exhibit at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey. Spanning 12,800 square feet, including a 1,500-square-foot mezzanine, it educates visitors about the science and engineering of skyscraper construction through varied presentation methods.
S2 developed the “Building Pleasanton” exhibit at the Museum on Main in Pleasanton, California. The exhibit narrates the city’s development through historical artifacts, media, and building materials from different eras.
Additional work includes “Gold, Greed and Speculation” at the Sacramento History Museum, which explores Sacramento’s founding during the Gold Rush. The “Your Story” exhibit at the Hayward Area Historical Society features oversized books to present local histories.
At V. Sattui Winery in Napa Valley, S2 designed an intimate exhibit using stone caves to tell the winery’s story from its founding through Prohibition and revival. Visuals and artifacts enhanced the experience.
S2 Associates also focuses on children’s exhibits, creating interactive experiences at venues like Clayton Children’s Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, Liberty Science Center, Hayward Area Historical Society, and Bay Area Discovery Museum. Their designs promote hands-on learning and curiosity among young visitors.
By combining collaboration with technical expertise, S2 Associates continues to create exhibits that educate and inspire audiences of all interests.