In a year of ups, downs, loops and scoops, Attractions Management looks back at some of the biggest stories to hit the headlines, giving possible indicators at what’s still to come in the year ahead.

In August, an iconic structure was given a major renovation in Seattle, while icons of comedy were celebrated in New York. Elsewhere, a new study showed the benefits of a museum visit for chronic pain sufferers.

Space Needle renovation

The world’s first and only revolving glass floor is now suspended and spinning at Seattle's Space Needle, providing unmatched views of the city below.

In September 2017, the Space Needle began its $100m (€89.4m, £78.3m) renovation, designed to reignite enthusiasm around the 605-foot landmark, with the work completed and reopened to the public in August.

Architects Olson Kundig were behind the renovation, adding more than 250 tons of glass and steel to increase the strength, stability, functionality, and aesthetics to the tower’s overall design.

Named 'The Loupe', the rotating glass floor is located just below the open-air observation deck at the 500ft level and replaces the original revolving floor that was a feature of the Space Needle when it first opened in 1962. The new floor has 10 layers of glass, including a so-called “scuff layer” that can be removed and replaced without compromising its structural integrity.

The perfect punchline

The first ever museum dedicated to telling the story of American comedy opened its doors in August in Jamestown, New York.

JRA provided complete master planning, design, project management and art direction for the 37,000sq ft (3,400sq m) National Comedy Center, which took seven years to complete at a cost of around US$50m (€43.2m, £38.6m).

As well as featuring 50 exhibits exploring comedy history – from vaudeville to viral memes – the museum offers visitors the chance to experience comedy tailored to their tastes through an RFID bracelet. After creating a humour profile, visitors can explore content tailored to their individual tastes, from broad slapstick to edgy satire.

"There has never been a national cultural institution that provides comedy with the opportunity for appreciation often afforded other art forms," said National Comedy Center executive director Journey Gunderson.

"Culture is preserved by meaningful storytelling. What these artists have done is important, and it should be both celebrated and contextualised, drawing connections that make the past relevant to the present. Lucille Ball understood the power of comedy, and had the vision for her hometown to become a destination for its celebration in a way that would educate, foster and inspire. That’s what we’ve set out to do here."

For more on the National Comedy Centre, check out the Q4 edition of Attractions Management where the team behind the project share their experiences. To read it, click here.

The art of pain relief

August saw the release of a study, which suggested that touring a museum can have an analgesic effect on helping to alleviate the symptoms of people suffering from chronic pain.

Published in the journal Pain Medicine, research looked at Art Rx tours, where 56 patients with chronic pain took part in a series of private tours at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California.

The tours focused on the museum experience rather than specific objects of art, concentrating on just three-to-five paintings or other art objects during the one-hour sessions. Whenever possible, a gallery was blocked off to the public so study participants could also have privacy and be encouraged by a comfortable discussion.

They proved to be very beneficial, with more than half (57 per cent) of those who took part reporting reduced levels of pain up to three weeks following their visit. In addition, a lot of the participants reported a decrease in social disconnection, which the journal said was a common byproduct of chronic pain. They said that the museum tour offered a distraction from pain, with discussion of art making them feel more connected to those around them.

Check back with Attractions Management tomorrow for a look back at the highlights from September