Press Release - The International Freedom Center

February, 2005

Four leading designers begin early work on Museum exhibits

The International Freedom Center has engaged four leading exhibition design groups from around the world for preliminary design work. Some of the early, conceptual work generated by one or more of these groups may be included in the business feasibility plans the Center is due to submit to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation on February 15. The groups are Lord Cultural Resources working with Gallagher & Associates, Howard+Revis Design, Layman Design, and Generations & History. Each group brings to the project strong skills and outstanding experience, promising original and innovative exhibition designs.

Gallagher & Associates, founded by principal designer Patrick Gallagher, has extensive experience developing innovative and compelling designs. Its projects have included the Museum of Jewish Heritage (New York), the National D-Day Museum (New Orleans), the International Spy Museum (Washington D.C.), and the Independence Visitor Center (Philadelphia). Gallagher is partnering in its work for the Center with Lord Cultural Resources, which is separately serving as museum consultants to Snohetta, architects for the World Trade Center Museum Complex.

Generations & History is a Belgium-based firm that has a long history working with not-for-profit and cultural institutions from around the world. Led by Jeannot Kupper, the firm is currently developing "Fight For Democracy", an international traveling exhibit intended to “bring together, in 2005 and 2006, major players from around the world around the fundamental values of our democratic systems.” The United Nations has agreed to help sponsor "I was 20 in 45", an expanded exhibit around the themes illustrated in "Fight for Democracy". "I was 20 in 45" will be temporarily housed at United Nations headquarters in New York; it is scheduled to open later this year, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the UN.

Howard+Revis Design has over two decades of experience designing exhibits for museums, cultural centers, and other cultural institutions. Both principals, Jeff Howard and Tracy Revis, are registered architects, enabling them to bring a wide range of expertise and a technically advanced perspective to their design work. They recently completed the critically acclaimed exhibit, "Anne Frank the Writer/An Unfinished Story" for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Other projects have included exhibit design for the new National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institution and for the International Monetary Fund.

David Layman, founder and principal of LaymanDesign, is noted for his work with not-for-profit institutions and museums, combining expertise with agility. LaymanDesign serves as the principal member of a consortium of professionals, craftsmen, and artists. Relevant past projects include the recently-acclaimed exhibit "Deadly Medicine", "Creating the Master Race" for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, new exhibitions for the Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, and work as design manager for the Field Museum of Natural History, also in Chicago.

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