(Cleveland, December 16, 2025) – The 2025 Prix Versailles World Ceremony honored the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, designed by DLR Group, as one of the world’s most beautiful museums. The international recognition praises the Museum’s transformative $150-million architectural redesign and its pioneering commitment to sustainability, positioning Cleveland and the Midwest region of the United States as a global center for innovation in museum design.

At the 2025 World Ceremony, held at UNESCO in Paris, France, Prix Versailles honored all finalists on the 2025 World’s Most Beautiful Museums List and delivered awards for interior and exterior design. The Museum’s recognition on this prestigious list underscores its visionary commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and architectural innovation.

Drawing inspiration from the glaciers that shaped the Great Lakes region, the Museum’s $150 million redesign created a living, immersive environment that blends soaring forms with light-filled public spaces. Designed by DLR Group, the renewed campus prioritizes climate-conscious leadership, featuring LEED v4 BD+ C NC Platinum certification, solar arrays, bird-safe glass, and green infrastructure that enhances ecological performance.

Building on recent achievements, the Museum will introduce new exhibitions and expanded education programs in 2026, continuing to spark curiosity and connect visitors with the science and wonder of the natural world. Recent accolades include awards from the Chicago Atheneum, American Society of Landscape Architects, Architectural Precast Association, NAIOP, the Ohio Museums Association, the Ohio-Kentucky Chapter of IIDA, and Cleveland 2030.