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Aegean University Faculty of Environmental Studies

Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesbos

Study for the Design of the Exhibition Space for Contemporary Ecosystems
Mytilene, December 1996

Introductory Note

In February, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest
of Lesbos assigned a research team from the Faculty of Environmental Studies of the University
of the Aegean, under the scientific direction of Associate Professor A. I. Troubis, to reorganize
the exhibit in the Museum's Hall of Contemporary Ecosystems.
The aim of the project was to demonstrate to non-expert visitors the natural wealth of the North East
Aegean Sea, with the main focus on Lesbos. This framework was developed after much deliberation
among the Board members and during the presentation of the first stage of the study
to the Monitoring Committee in June, 1996.
In practice, the challenge for the proposed scenario for the exhibit of Contemporary Ecosystems
of the NE Aegean is to present the bulk of the scientific information in an easy-to-understand, visually
sound and original fashion, while condensing the material so as to fit the limited exhibition space.
Moreover, the Museum and its exhibits must mature, address the viewers' aesthetic criteria,
and continue to grow with time and as more information accrues. The exhibition must therefore
be flexible in terms of messages, space and presentation media.
Thus it was deemed necessary to form a working team which would meet these multiple
requirements. It was a main conclusion of the scientific director that the scientific team
should be supported by visual artists specializing in spatial and volumetric design,
and by communication experts experienced in the transmission of scientific knowledge.

The working team was finally made up of individuals from three areas of expertise:
a. The scientific staff: A. Meliadou, Physicist / Environmental scientist;
Dr. F. Akriotis, Lecturer, Faculty of Environmental Studies;
and Dr. A Troubis, Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies

b. Visual arts advisors: Mr. N. Zouboulis, Interior Designer; Ms. T. Grekou, Interior Designer
and the associates of Studio Metaplasi

c. Communication advisors: Greek Society for Environmental Education & Communication,
Mr. I. Troubis

This paper is the combined result of views from these different fields of expertise on the task
in hand. It is our estimation that the challenge has been won at this first stage. Nevertheless,
the Exhibition has much to gain by its ongoing adaptation to new scientific data as well as
to the latest international exhibition standards.

A. Troubis
Associate Professor of Ecosystem Management