S2 Associates

Since its founding in 1996, S2 Associates Inc. has grown into a respected environmental design firm in Napa, California. Initially concentrating on museum exhibit design, the company expanded its expertise to include content development, conceptual and final exhibit design, production management, and the creation of fundraising renderings. A key development came in 1999 when Daniel Wodarcyk joined as a partner, bringing substantial experience in museum exhibition planning that broadened the firm’s capabilities in cultural and institutional spaces.

At the heart of S2 Associates’ work is creating interactive learning environments centered around science, culture, and technology themes. The firm embraces collaboration, working closely with clients to blend their content knowledge with its design and development expertise. This approach leads to exhibits that are both unique and memorable for visitors.

Collaboration has been a defining feature of S2’s projects since its earliest work. Their first major project, The Tech Museum of Innovation, set the tone for a cooperative working style that continued through the Liberty Science Center and Nevada Discovery Museum projects. S2 maintains strong partnerships with exhibit producers and professionals nationally and internationally, distinguishing itself in exhibition design.

Each project typically begins with a workshop involving key stakeholders and specialists, often held at the firm’s studio on the Napa River. These sessions encourage open communication, alignment of goals, and early problem-solving. Throughout the project’s development, S2 emphasizes ongoing communication to keep all team members informed and engaged.

Effective project management is a cornerstone of S2’s approach. The firm carefully oversees each installation to ensure it is completed on time and within budget. This focus on detail supports the delivery of engaging and operationally sound exhibits.

S2’s in-house capabilities include exhibit master planning, stakeholder coordination, educational goal setting, content research, concept development, detailed design, and production documentation. The firm utilizes advanced tools such as Vectorworks CAD, AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, and Unreal Engine for modeling and rendering. Graphic design is handled through Adobe Suite, while Smartsheet and Procore software support project coordination. Additionally, the firm provides prototyping, 3D printing, and model construction services.

Among the firm’s notable projects is the Innovation Gallery at The Tech Museum in San Jose, California. This 8,000-square-foot exhibit highlights five key areas of innovation—robotics, invention, microprocessing, lasers, and software—that have shaped Silicon Valley.

S2 was instrumental in developing the Nevada Discovery Museum, which targets children aged eight to twelve and includes a toddler gallery. Exhibits emphasize Northern Nevada’s natural history, sustainable building, art, and invention, with a strong hands-on focus.

The firm also led design development for the Skyscraper! Exhibit at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey. The exhibit, which covers 12,800 square feet, including a 1,500-square-foot mezzanine, explores the science and engineering of skyscraper construction.

In Pleasanton, California, S2 designed “Building Pleasanton” at the Museum on Main, which traces the city’s history through artifacts, images, and architectural materials.

Other projects include “Gold, Greed and Speculation” at the Sacramento History Museum, focused on Sacramento’s founding and the Gold Rush, and “Your Story” at the Hayward Area Historical Society, which presents local history through oversized books and interactive displays.

S2 created an intimate exhibit at V. Sattui Winery in Napa Valley, set within stone caves, narrating the winery’s story from its founding in the late 1800s, through Prohibition, to its revival, enriched with historic artifacts and visuals.