Snøhetta unveils playful design for the El Paso Children's Museum

After winning the competition for the new El Paso Children's Museum, Snøhetta has unveiled its playful and adventurous design for the city's new educational center. The 70,000 sf museum is set within the heart of El Paso's Downtown Arts district. Through an unorthodox use of geometries, the building distinguishes itself from the rest of the local skyline. The rectilinear base is wrapped in glass, allowing for plenty of natural light and interior views for the public on the outside. A succession of barrel vaults add a rhythmic quality to the structure that seems to represent a "cloud-like crown." Outdoor public amenities such as streetscapes, gathering areas, and gardens have also been introduced to the new museum to take advantage of El Paso's sunny climate. At the eastern end of the building, a terraced "discovery garden" creates a series of outdoor rooms, each with one-of-a-kind atmospheres to explore. The first floor includes free exhibitions and a cafe accompanies by the entranc...