La Nube, also known as the El Paso Children’s Museum and Science Center will be the cornerstone of the 2012 City of El Paso Quality of Life Bond, completing the Downtown Arts District in El Paso. The public-private partnership between the City of El Paso and the El Paso Community Foundation is the first of its kind in the City and is key to revitalizing Downtown El Paso. As Architect of Record, Exigo was selected to partner with Snohetta’s New York office from the preliminary design through the execution of construction documents, and finally throughout the construction phase. This world-class museum will house four interactive levels with exhibits providing immersive and experiential learning environments for people of all ages. The museum features a dramatic four-story climber exhibit where children can take risks, practice problem solving, make discoveries, and learning.
This complex exhibit consists of slides, nets, passages, bridges, and inclusive access for children with disabilities. The 77,000 S.F., $50 million museum will also house a cafe & commercial kitchen, administrative offices, support spaces, and two outdoor exhibit terraces. The project also boasts a beautifully designed urban landscape complete with outdoor cafe seating, misting poles, and other play areas integrated into the native plantings. Programmed to bring value to all youth in the region and also to complement the nearby children’s museum in the city of Juarez, the architecture reveals itself as a cloud, floating above the desert connecting all people in this important place, young and old alike.
General Contractor: Jordan Foster Construction