THE PRESBYTERE'S LIVING WITH HURRICANES: KATRINA AND BEYOND

At the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans’ historic Jackson Square, the exhibition Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond tells one of the most profound and challenging stories in recent American history — how Louisiana has endured, adapted, and risen in the wake of devastating storms.

Strategic Role

The museum asked Solomon Group to help create a space that would not only preserve artifacts but also capture the human experience of Hurricane Katrina and explore the broader science of resilience. Our role went beyond technical integration — we collaborated with curators and designers to translate a powerful narrative into an immersive visitor journey that balances emotion, history, and science.

Experience Design

Spanning 6,700 square feet, the exhibition integrates more than 30 media points into a seamless storytelling environment. Visitors encounter:

• Immersive media and interactive environments combining oral histories, eyewitness accounts, and historical footage
• Multi-screen storytelling experiences, including a large, animated map illustrating levee failures and the flooding of New Orleans
• Interactive explorations of hurricane science and resilience, from wetlands preservation to levee engineering

Through careful design, the exhibit moves from personal testimony to systemic understanding — providing visitors both an intimate and educational perspective.

Innovation and Sustainability

To deliver the experience, Solomon Group designed advanced show control systems integrating audio, video, and lighting into a cohesive whole. We also implemented sustainable design practices, including energy-efficient LED lighting and video displays — an early example of green technology integration in museum environments.

Why It Matters

“Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond” is more than an exhibit — it is a cultural and educational resource that preserves memory, fosters understanding, and explores resilience in the face of disaster." –Louisiana State Museum

For Solomon Group, the project demonstrates our ability to act as a strategic partner for mission-driven museums: combining storytelling, technology, and innovation to bring complex histories to life in ways that engage and inspire.