Indian Creek Nature Center
LOCATION ◦ CEDAR RAPIDS IA
Exhibit Fabrication, Structural Engineering & Immersive Nature Installations
Evergreen Creative partnered with Museum Professionals to engineer and install a signature exhibit feature at the Indian Creek Nature Center — a transparent “underwater river” walkway that allows visitors to stroll above a recreated aquatic ecosystem teeming with local wildlife.
While the design concept was already in development, Evergreen’s role centered on the technical and structural challenge of bringing the vision to life. Our team was responsible for fabricating and installing the custom glass panels and decorative siding that transform this imaginative concept into a safe, durable, and visually seamless experience for guests.
The installation demanded precision problem-solving: the glass needed to support the weight of multiple visitors simultaneously, resist scratching and fogging, and maintain crystal-clear visibility to preserve the illusion of walking over a living stream. Every material was carefully selected for performance, longevity, and aesthetic integration with the surrounding exhibit environment.
Key fabrication components included:
Load-Bearing Glass Panels
Custom-engineered laminated glass sections designed to support significant foot traffic while maintaining complete visual clarity and edge precision.Protective Siding & Frame Assembly
Decorative aluminum and composite cladding that integrates seamlessly with the floor structure and provides reinforced protection around the exhibit perimeter.Moisture-Resistant Sealing System
Specialized gasketing and sealants to prevent fogging, delamination, or moisture intrusion in a high-humidity exhibit zone.On-Site Engineering & Installation
Precision installation of all glass and frame components, ensuring alignment, weight distribution, and visitor safety under live load conditions.
Projects like this showcase Evergreen Creative’s ability to merge creative fabrication with structural engineering—delivering solutions that are as safe and durable as they are visually captivating. The Indian Creek Nature Center exhibit continues to engage visitors of all ages, offering a rare chance to quite literally walk over the river and experience Iowa’s natural ecosystems from a new perspective.
