\u201cFor nearly four decades, the SEGD Global Design Awards have defined design excellence in how we connect people to place through storytelling, meaning, and impact,\u201d said SEGD CEO Cybelle Jones. \u201cWinning projects highlight the breadth of our community\u2014from deeply researched approaches that prove design\u2019s impact beyond beauty, to work that advances equity, sustainability, and a more connected world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
More Cornell Lab News<\/h2>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/YellowBelliedSapsucker_StevenHunter.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/div>News Room<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\nAt the heart of the Cornell Lab\u2019s Visitor Center is the Adelson Family Bird Discovery Lab, a dynamic space where visitors can listen to birdsong, explore migration maps, and uncover fascinating insights from the Lab\u2019s research. This imaginative blending of science and storytelling earned the Cornell Lab and C&G Partners<\/a>, the designers of the project, a Merit Award honoring artful conception and creative solutions in experience design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re deeply honored to receive this recognition,\u201d said Lisa Kopp, project manager for the Visitor Center redesign. \u201cThis award reflects the creative collaboration that went into reimagining how people experience birds and nature inside our space. The Adelson Family Bird Discovery Lab, in particular, invites visitors to explore the beauty and complexity of bird life through interactive exhibits, real scientific data, and soundscapes that connect people to the natural world in new and inspiring ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cornell Lab and C&G Partners also received a Sustainability Impact Recognition from SEGD for demonstrating leadership in sustainable design through material innovation, process integration, and environmental sensitivity and a Gold in exhibit and print from Graphis Awards<\/a>. Graphis Awards celebrate the industry’s best talents worldwide in design, advertising, art\/illustration, photography and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJurors evaluating the projects said: \u201cI was really impressed by how this project [the Visitor Center] brings the Cornell Ornithology Lab\u2019s research to life. The layering of interpretive design, immersive storytelling, and hands-on learning makes the experience feel alive\u2014connecting visitors not just to birds, but to the urgency and wonder of conservation itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“One of the tests of a great design,\u201d said Ian Owens, director of the Cornell Lab,\u00a0 \u201cis how it feels after the honeymoon period. After a year, the Visitor Center still gives me that \u2018Wow\u2019 every time I come into the building. I\u2019ve even changed my route to make sure I come through the main door to get that kick before I start the day. And more importantly, I hear the same from our visitors; they love the combination of futuristic technology, elegant lines, and beautiful art. It\u2019s their place to forget about the world for a moment, and just connect with birds and nature.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editors:<\/strong> Download images<\/a>. The use of this material is protected by copyright. Use is permitted only<\/em> within stories about the content of this release. Redistribution or any other use is prohibited without express written permission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the copyright owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbout the Cornell Lab of Ornithology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to the understanding and protection of birds, wildlife, and our shared planet through research, education, participatory science, and conservation. birds.cornell.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>At the heart of the Cornell Lab\u2019s Visitor Center is the Adelson Family Bird Discovery Lab, a dynamic space where visitors can listen to birdsong, explore migration maps, and uncover fascinating insights from the Lab\u2019s research. This imaginative blending of science and storytelling earned the Cornell Lab and C&G Partners<\/a>, the designers of the project, a Merit Award honoring artful conception and creative solutions in experience design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re deeply honored to receive this recognition,\u201d said Lisa Kopp, project manager for the Visitor Center redesign. \u201cThis award reflects the creative collaboration that went into reimagining how people experience birds and nature inside our space. The Adelson Family Bird Discovery Lab, in particular, invites visitors to explore the beauty and complexity of bird life through interactive exhibits, real scientific data, and soundscapes that connect people to the natural world in new and inspiring ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Cornell Lab and C&G Partners also received a Sustainability Impact Recognition from SEGD for demonstrating leadership in sustainable design through material innovation, process integration, and environmental sensitivity and a Gold in exhibit and print from Graphis Awards<\/a>. Graphis Awards celebrate the industry’s best talents worldwide in design, advertising, art\/illustration, photography and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jurors evaluating the projects said: \u201cI was really impressed by how this project [the Visitor Center] brings the Cornell Ornithology Lab\u2019s research to life. The layering of interpretive design, immersive storytelling, and hands-on learning makes the experience feel alive\u2014connecting visitors not just to birds, but to the urgency and wonder of conservation itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n “One of the tests of a great design,\u201d said Ian Owens, director of the Cornell Lab,\u00a0 \u201cis how it feels after the honeymoon period. After a year, the Visitor Center still gives me that \u2018Wow\u2019 every time I come into the building. I\u2019ve even changed my route to make sure I come through the main door to get that kick before I start the day. And more importantly, I hear the same from our visitors; they love the combination of futuristic technology, elegant lines, and beautiful art. It\u2019s their place to forget about the world for a moment, and just connect with birds and nature.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Editors:<\/strong> Download images<\/a>. The use of this material is protected by copyright. Use is permitted only<\/em> within stories about the content of this release. Redistribution or any other use is prohibited without express written permission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the copyright owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About the Cornell Lab of Ornithology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to the understanding and protection of birds, wildlife, and our shared planet through research, education, participatory science, and conservation. birds.cornell.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n