Santa Cruz Natural History Museum Logo - Connecting People with Nature

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Internationally Recognized Firm to Design New Museum

aerial view of new site

Aerial view of Depot Park, with site of new museum circled in red. (Click photo to enlarge)

The new museum is part of the redevelopment of the Depot Park in Santa Cruz, and will occupy a viable and central location within the park site. The site is within walking distance of downtown, municipal wharf, Neary Lagoon, and proposed Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center. In addition, the Depot Park is planned to become a multi-modal transportation hub for the region

The new building, exhibits and landscape will focus on sustainability and stewardship to support its mission to inspire connection the natural world. Future programs, events and exhibits will continue to illustrate connections between people and nature, addressing global environmental issues with local examples of both the impacts and positive action that can be taken.

The following firms have been selected to assist with the concept plan development and planning for the new museum:

Architect: William McDonough + Partners

Exhibit Designer: AldrichPears Associates

Landscape Architect: Andropogon Associates, Ltd.

Owner’s Representation: Rhodes / Dahl

As international recognized architects, planners, and leaders in sustainable design, William McDonough + Partners crafts designs for buildings and communities that embody new and enduring standards of economic, ecological, and social responsibility.

Among the great diversity of projects completed by the firm, several are recognized as landmarks of the sustainability movement:

Environmental Defense Fund National Headquarters New York, New York

Herman Miller “GreenHouse” Factory and Offices Holland, Michigan

901 Cherry, Offices for Gap Inc. San Bruno, CA

Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio

Other projects that are related to our project include:

Museum of Life and the Environment

York County Culture & Heritage Commission, York County, North Carolina

Bernheim Arboretum Visitors Center

Berheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont, Kentucky

Cartledge-Hancock Education Center

Virginia’s Explore Park, Roanoke, Virginia

Newsweek launched a new interview series on leadership and innovation. Reporter Anne Underwood talked with William McDonough about "Designing the Future."


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DESIGNING THE FUTURE

NBC's NEWSWEEK talks to William McDonough, a leading ecological architect whose goal is nothing less than eliminating waste and pollution. McDonough's firm has been chosen to design the new natural history museum.

Newsweek Interview
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HELP US BUILD!

Help us bring a new state of the art Natural History Museum to Santa Cruz. Donate online via the Network for Good website

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