Linear Path? Or Open Plan?

Quick, what’s better:

A linear path exhibition, with a preset route?

Or open plan, where you choose where to go?

Most people I know say “open plan.” Maybe it sounds better.

But it’s a false choice. Both work, for different situations.

A linear path guides visitors through a narrative, step by step. Like a movie, each section builds on the last. This helps take in complex ideas without getting lost, and it’s a must for crowded shows. But there’s less choice.

An open plan exhibition, by contrast, invites visitors to explore. It has multiple entry points and encourages discovery. But it can be overwhelming, and make it likely you’ll miss something.

So how do you pick?

An open plan layout might be well-suited to a …

… vast natural history hall of minerals,
… science center with open-ended experiment stations,
… or urban planning exhibition that mimics the layout of the city itself.

But a linear path layout might work better in a …

… chronological history exhibition about the civil rights movement,
… Holocaust memorial exhibition that builds up tension and emotion,
… or blockbuster art show that requires constant one-way visitor flow for safety.

(Hub-and-spoke fans, we’ll get to you later.)

Here’s the thing:
Open plan, or linear path?

Yes.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Words of the Day:

Linear path layout. A type of exhibition floor plan that guides visitors through a fixed route. It is often used for chronological or sequential narratives, or situations like blockbuster shows where crowds can't be allowed to backtrack.

Open plan layout. A type of exhibition floor plan that has flexible, open, non-linear visitor flow. It allows visitors to stay longer in areas they choose, and gather as they wish. Lends itself well to exhibitions catering to multiple learning styles.