street view of Cleveland Museum of Natural History, a two section building with curved white roof, large metal sculpture center

Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation

Inspired by the Water that Shapes Our World

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Project Location

Cleveland, OH

Client

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Area

182,000 SF

Project Type

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has been a pillar of science, education, research, conservation, and community engagement since 1920. Supporting the museum’s goal to address the impacts of humans on our natural world, our design of several phases of renovation and an iconic addition transforms the facility into an actively sustainable building.

New, renovated, and reorganized exhibit spaces expand programming and improve visitor circulation with connections to nature to enhance the outdoor experience. The design re-imagines the presentation of world-renowned collections and labs by relocating these previously behind-the-scenes spaces alongside exhibits, giving visitors a glimpse into the inner workings of science research. Inspired by the institution’s commitment to sustainability and its relationship with surrounding bodies of water and the glaciers that formed the region’s geology, alluvial shapes define and create a single and continuous form that unifies current and previous additions. We are providing architecture; interiors; electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering; acoustics; audiovisual; information transport; life safety & security; lighting; and theater technical design services.

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single story building with curving roof viewed from the street with people walking past and cyclists in road

A café expansion increases the museum’s prominence on a park that is the front door for several cultural institutions.

The café expansion.

The site design serves as an exhibit, telling the story of the glacial moraine and the diverse landscape resulting from its deposits.

The interior design continues the theme of natural, organic form inspired by glacial moraine.

A grand visitors hall consolidates two remote entries for a simplified entrance experience and event space.

The landscape design includes an alvar outcropping—a rare glacial feature.

Design emphasizes transparency with views from the exterior to artifacts and exhibits.

Rendering similar to first but illuminated at night so that exhibits are visible, white overhang is illuminated

The transformed museum is alive even at night when the building is not open or occupied.

press

CEO Steven McKay Shares a Passion for Design with designboom

_{January 16, 2023}

This exclusive interview reveals McKay’s commitment to employee-ownership, the thrill of the design challenge, and the future of our firm. In the interview, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is shared as an example of how we are leading with design.

cropped image of museum entry showing flowing lines and textures of white roof with large metal sculpture surrounded by trees

cleveland.com

Design for Natural History Museum Evokes Waters of Great Lakes

_{June 16, 2019}

The glacier that carved the Cuyahoga Valley melted about 10,000 years ago. But it’s returning, at least in fragmentary form, in a new vision for the renovation and expansion of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The Architect's Newspaper

The $150 Million Museum Expansion is Closer to Completion

_{December 18, 2019}

The multiphase project was initiated over ten years ago and includes several phases of renovations, as well as a 50,000-SF addition for education and exhibition spaces. The new changes are expected to improve circulation, expand programming, and provide connections to the surrounding natural landscape.

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