C&G Partners brings clarity, warmth, and imagination to the redesign of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center, shaping an experience where scientific rigor meets human curiosity. Rooted in storytelling, accessibility, and visual intelligence, the project transforms complex research into moments of discovery that feel intuitive, inviting, and emotionally resonant. This creative journey reveals how thoughtful design can deepen public engagement with science while reinforcing the Lab’s mission to protect birds and biodiversity.

The Project: Bringing Birds and People Closer Together 

When we set out to redesign the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Visitor Center, our goal was to create a space that felt welcoming, sparked wonder, and invited visitors to “join us” in the work of protecting birds and biodiversity. We wanted every corner to reflect the Lab’s mission - advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world - while ensuring the experience felt beautiful, inspiring, and genuinely fun. 

At the heart of the project was a desire to create a place where science, art, technology, and storytelling meet, allowing multiple pathways for entry and connections for visitors from all walks of life. We aimed to translate the Lab’s vast body of research and resources into experiences that invited curiosity rather than required expertise. The hope was that visitors walked away eager to learn and engage with the natural world and with some new tools to do so effectively. 

The Process: Balancing Creativity, Science, and the Visitor Experience 

Our content strategy centered on providing an experience that felt approachable. Second, we wanted visitors to experience surprise and delight as they discovered new things. The content team regularly asked: What is the wow? To ensure we kept things inspiring and inviting. Above all, we aimed to provide a multi-sensory experience designed for accessibility and inclusivity. 

With the guidance from our talented design team at C&G Partners, we came up with a blend of interpretive elements, immersive media, hands-on learning, and clear scientific storytelling. One major challenge was translating complex scientific findings, and complicated conservation stories into digestible, interactive moments. Through iteration - and many rounds of edits - we shaped exhibits that feel alive: museum specimens alongside digital interactives, behind-the-scenes glimpses of Lab research, and tactile interactives that meet visitors at any skill level. 

The Adelson Family Bird Discovery Lab showcases the best of this balance, serving as a place where guided programs and spontaneous discovery both thrive, bridging the gap between observing nature and understanding. 

The Impact: A Renewed Gateway to the World of Birds 

The redesigned Visitor Center has already transformed how people experience the Lab. Guests stay longer, explore deeper, and are more likely to engage with programs, research stories, and conservation actions. The space now acts as a true gateway—not just to Sapsucker Woods, but to a lifelong curiosity about birds. 

For our team, the project reaffirmed how we think about science communication. It reminded us of the power of storytelling, thoughtful design, and gave us a new mechanism to invite people to participate in discovery rather than simply presenting information. 

The Creative Journey: What We Learned and What We Love Most 

What brings us the most satisfaction is seeing people’s reactions: a visitor whispering “wow” at a feather under the microscope, a family joyfully testing their song ID knowledge, a birder submitting their sighting from Sapsucker Woods. Projects like this rarely move in a straight line, and this one certainly pushed creative boundaries—integrating complicated technology, accessibility, art, and deep science into one cohesive experience. But that challenge is exactly what made the process so rewarding. 

What surprised us most was how the redesign changed the way we experience the Lab. When you reimagine a place so central to the Cornell Lab’s identity, you inevitably rediscover your own connection to birds, nature, and the people who care deeply about both. 

Above all, we're proud that the final result feels alive, welcoming, and distinctly “Lab of Ornithology.” It reflects not just the project team’s voice, but the voices of the researchers, educators, students, partners, and visitors who shape this community every day. 

Written by: Lisa Kopp 

Lisa Kopp is the Visitor Experience Manager for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center. Lisa holds a Masters in Art History and Museum Studies from Georgetown University and has spent nearly two decades at the intersection of the visitor experience and education programming through positions at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, National Building Museum and National Geographic Museum. Most recently Lisa spearheaded the multi-million dollar renovation of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center.  

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