After Avista laid the groundwork for the most sustainable building in North America – the Catalyst Building – the Spokane-based utility decided it was just as important to explain the why as it was the how. So helveticka was brought in to design a custom freestanding exhibit to help present the vision behind not only the building itself, but also what Avista is calling the “5 Smartest Blocks,” an area just south of the recently completed pedestrian bridge connecting the University District with East Sprague Avenue. Located in project partner McKinstry’s SIERR building – in an area reserved for the promotion of new building technologies – the display takes advantage of generous ceiling heights and an abundance of floor space to explore the future of energy generation and distribution. Graphics, photography, and architectural renderings are printed on washable fabric; elements from three different Skyline Exhibits systems are integrated into a single structure; a TV monitor houses additional content; LED lighting keeps the energy usage to a minimum. The result is a dimensional exhibit that communicates a series of complex ideas in a compelling way. Designed to be shown to tech CEOs, city officials, urban developers, architects, and utilities, the exhibit will be on display for 12-18 months.