Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation

Situated prominently within Cleveland’s cultural district, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has been a cornerstone of science, education, research, conservation, and community engagement since 1920. Through a multiphase transformation, DLR Group reimagined the museum, creating a sustainable building that immerses visitors in nature while highlighting humanity’s impact on the planet. 
 
LEEDv4 BD+C NC Platinum certified in 2025, the museum became the first U.S. institution of its kind to achieve this distinction. Key innovations include a 50,000-square-foot exhibit wing where visitors engage with fossils, interactive displays, and the forces shaping our planet, and a free public Visitor Hall, ensuring inclusive access for all.  

A glacier-inspired glass-and-GFRC facade reduces embodied carbon while funneling stormwater into a bioswale, integrating performance and environmental stewardship. More than half of the site has been restored with native vegetation and trees, reducing outdoor potable water use by more than 60 percent, mitigating heat island effects, and supporting pollinators and birds. Together with a biophilic courtyard and bird-safe glass facades, these features create meaningful connections between the building and its natural surroundings.