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You are here: Home / Architects / Perot Museum of Science & Nature

Perot Museum of Science & Nature

May 31, 2011 by Bob Borson 15 Comments

Dallas Museum of Natural Science logo

I recently collected these job site photos after wanting to check in on the progress of the new Morphosis designed Nature & Science building myself. My daughter Kate and I had just spent the day knocking about in the current Museum of Nature & Science down in Fair Park and there was an exhibit on display focused on the new building. Kate wasn’t all that interested in it but she was a good sport about letting me wander around the displays. Afterwards, I thought others would probably like to see where things are at as well. Dallas is beyond having a few interesting and notable buildings; if you are an architecture fan and you haven’t come to Dallas, you are missing out in a very big way.

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Dallas Perot Science and Natural History Museum

On November 18, 2009, the Museum of Nature & Science broke ground on a world-class, state-of-the-art museum at Victory Park in Downtown Dallas, which will supplement the Museum’s existing programming and operations at Fair Park. The $185-million museum will be named the Perot Museum of Nature & Science. Here are some fast facts about the new museum that The Dallas Morning News architecture critic Scott Cantrell called “the boldest piece of modern architecture to hit Dallas.”

Site Area: 4.7 Acres

Building Size: 180,000 gross square feet

Estimated Construction Dates: 2010 – 2013

Estimated Construction Cost: $185 million (includes site acquisition, exhibition planning and design, construction of the new building, education programs and an endowment)

Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum under construction

Dallas Perot Science and Natural History Museum

Project Description:

  • The design features an overall building mass conceived as a large cube floating over a landscaped plinth (roof).
  • The landscape consists of an acre of rolling roofscape comprised of rock and native drought-resistant grasses reflecting Texas’s indigenous landscape and demonstrates a living system that will evolve naturally over time.
  • A significant feature is the 54-foot continuous-flow escalator contained in a 150-foot glass-enclosed tube-like structure that dramatically extends outside the building.
  • A large urban plaza – complete with cafe tables, seating and water features – will be available for gatherings and public events.
  • The building itself will be used as a “living” example of engineering, sustainability and technology at work.

Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum by Morphosis

Museum Features:

  • Five floors of public space – approximately 80 percent of the building, which is a remarkably high degree – is devoted for public usage.
  • Expansive glass-enclosed lobby and adjacent outdoor terrace with downtown view.
  • 10 permanent exhibition halls including a children’s museum and outdoor playspace/courtyard.
  • State-of-the-art traveling exhibition gallery designated to host world-class exhibitions.
  • Ground-level exhibit workshops surrounded by large windows making workshop activity accessible for public viewing.
  • Education wing equipped with six learning labs.
  • Large-format, multi-media digital cinema with seating for 300.
  • Flexible-space auditorium
  • Public café and retail store
  • Exhibit workshops visible from the ground level
  • Offices for museum staff

Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum by Morphosis

Environmental Features:

  • The building and the outdoor areas will be used as “a dynamic science lesson and living lab” providing provocative examples of engineering, technology and conservation.
  • A rain-water collection system will capture run-off from the roof and parking lot to fill two 25,000-gallon cisterns, which will satisfy all non-potable water needs.

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Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum

Perot Science and Nature Museum by Morphosis

Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum by Morphosis

Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum by Morphosis

Dallas Perot Science and Nature Museum by Morphosis

I enjoyed running around the outside of the site taking these photos and I am excited to see how the building will ultimately sit on the undulating base. It was difficult to not “accidentily” wander onto the jobsite and take a closer look at things … but this is a pretty serious jobsite and jail would not have been out of the question if I had slipped inside.

I don’t do that sort of thing anymore … not unless I want to violate the conditions of my parole (kidding).

Cheers,

Bob-AIA scale figure

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Filed Under: Architects, Dallas Architecture Tagged With: Construction Observation, Construction Process, Dallas Architecture

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The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

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