Wayfinding and civics lab installations advance; 'coming soon' labels placed for 2025 exhibits

The Capitol Interpretive Exhibits and Wayfinding Subcommittee received an update on Tuesday that many finished wayfinding signs are in place and temporary labels will be used where interactive exhibits have not yet launched.

Nigel, a designer with the contractor Dimensional Innovations, told the subcommittee that some maps and panels currently installed reference interactive content planned for 2025. To avoid visitor confusion, his team proposed adding a small removable gold sticker reading “coming soon” to panels that mention interactive elements. "We don't want someone to read something that suggests they go look at something and then not find it," Nigel said.

Rachel, who led the presentation for the project team, reported early positive visitor reactions. "You've probably seen a lot, and we're actually going to spend a lot of time as we walk through and do a lot at the end of this meeting to show some of the great work that's already gone up," she said, adding that guests were already asking where the civics lab is located. The team described several mobile panels that will be used in different configurations; the panels are intentionally heavy for safety and some half‑wall displays remain in final copy and site review.

The civics lab was discussed as a distinct activation aimed at a broad audience, with staff emphasizing a “Civics 101” approach so the content is accessible to children and adults alike. The project team repeated that the civics lab and other interactive elements are expected in 2025; staff will return with more detailed designs in December as the project moves into development and programming.

Next steps: the contractor will apply the temporary labels and continue site work; staff will bring refined text and final copy for remaining panels to the subcommittee for approval in the coming weeks ahead of scheduled installation.