Second Story and Beyond | Rancho Cucamonga Public Library
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga, California
CambridgeSeven transformed the second floor of the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library in Rancho Cucamonga, California, into Second Story and Beyond, a ticketed children’s museum that brings literacy and storytelling to life through interactive exhibit design and imaginative play. The project expands the library’s offerings for family audiences while preserving traditional public-library services on the first floor.
The museum is designed to change with the stories it tells. Drawing inspiration from children’s books, rotating themes -including Out to Sea, Outdoor Adventures, Space Explorers…Blast Off!, and Just Eat It -invite young visitors to explore new worlds through hands-on activities, dramatic play, and interactive environments. A permanent exhibit framework provides the foundation for a museum that can evolve over time, encouraging repeat visits and supporting fresh programming.
CambridgeSeven conceived the museum as a flexible stage set: a durable architectural and exhibit infrastructure that supports changing graphics, props, theatrical lighting, interactive media, and activities. In the Construction Zone, children might build an octopus for an ocean-themed installation, an ice cave for an outdoor adventure, or a burrito for a food-focused experience. A central climber similarly transforms with each theme, becoming a pirate ship, a tree house, or a playful journey through the human body.
CambridgeSeven provided both architectural and exhibit design services, coordinating the museum’s experiential design with the building’s operational needs. Because active play occurs directly above a quiet library, acoustics shaped the project from the outset. A new first-floor entry lobby creates a welcoming arrival sequence for museum visitors while providing acoustic separation between the building’s distinct programs.
4
20000
1
