Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America.

Architect: Ennead Architects and Kahler Slater.

Ennead Architects and Kahler Slater unveiled in August 2022 the design for the new 200,000-square-foot museum building, set on a 2.4-acre site in the Haymarket neighbourhood of Milwaukee. Four core principles influenced the design: community, nature, education, and the preservation of the museum’s vast collections. The new building is slated to break ground in late 2023 and open in 2026. The design reflects Wisconsin’s rich natural history while creating a welcoming new community anchor and an indispensable educational destination for lifelong learners. The museum will also be a hub for research, continuing the institution’s legacy of scientific contribution.

The design of the new museum will be reminiscent of the geological formations contained within Mill Bluff State Park, with rounded corners that evoke the erosion and weathering of the glacial landscapes. The convergence of Milwaukee’s three rivers will inspire the museum’s interior commons, which will welcome visitors into a dynamic gathering space. The Haymarket neighbourhood will act as a conduit from the entertainment district to the residential neighbourhood perched just up the hill.

The first floor will consist of a naturally lit common atrium for guests and the general public to convene, and the second floor will include two gardens for visitors to enjoy. On the rooftop, there will be permanent exhibits and a butterfly vivarium. The museum will redefine the Historic Haymarket city edge, bringing a human scale to this part of the urban core and creating a new and beloved civic space. It will also house a planetarium, office and lab space, classrooms and flexible space, dining, and collections storage.