January 16, 2025
Snøhetta’s ‘La Nube’ Museum Leverages Equity and Accessibility
“The first thing we did was to visit the site to ensure the design team learned about El Paso and enjoyed experiencing its rich culture as much as I did, growing up there.” – Elaine Molinar, Partner and Managing Director at Snøhetta
Selected through an architectural design competition, La Nube’s dynamic vernacular and materials reflect its desert surroundings and commitment to whimsical design. “We thought it was imperative that the museum look like it was designed for young people first and foremost,” Molinar says. Aluminum panels in three shades subtly shift under varying lighting conditions, embedded fiber-optic lights create a twinkling effect at night, and high-performance glazing with ceramic frit enhances thermal comfort while contributing to the building’s “cloud-like” appearance, says Exigo Associate Principal Paulina Lagos. Although the building is not LEED-certified, La Nube embraces sustainability with features like an on-site desalination plant, misting poles that provide cooling and play opportunities, and drought-resistant native plantings, Molinar adds.
Leading with Equity, Diversity and Accessibility in Mind
The Museum’s nine themed learning zones deliver immersive, STEAM-focused experiences with bilingual, non-hierarchical signage in English and Spanish. “El Paso is a predominantly Hispanic community, yet we don’t often see buildings that place Spanish on equal footing with English,” Lagos notes. “It’s a thoughtful touch for our community.”
For younger visitors, the “Desert Bloom” section caters to children aged 0 to 3. It showcases the flora and fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert alongside a mural by local artist Kristin Apodaca. Meanwhile, the “Fly High” level highlights El Paso’s contributions to the aerospace industry. Visitors to La Nube can experiment with water currents, predict natural disasters, and design sustainable cities. The Museum’s centerpiece, the 50-foot Anything’s Possible Climber—Texas’s largest accessible climber—is part art installation, part jungle gym, and features a wheelchair challenge course at the top.
Beyond its engaging features, La Nube exceeds ADA compliance to ensure accessibility for all. The Museum offers Braille and audio tours, reduced trigger days, and accommodations for neurodivergent guests, such as quiet rooms, sensory-friendly programming, weighted blankets, and sensory backpacks available for check-out. Molinar emphasizes that these thoughtful choices make La Nube a model for accessibility in children’s museums worldwide.
La Nube redefines what a children’s Museum can be: a space that nurtures creativity while addressing critical concerns like climate adaptation, cultural representation, and inclusive design. Its success provides a blueprint for similar projects across the region and beyond. “Seeing the profound impact La Nube has on the community—how it changes young lives and brings joy to visitors of all ages—is incredibly rewarding,” Molinar concludes.
Would you like to comment on this article? Send your thoughts to: [email protected]
Latest
Products
Four Creatives Harnessing the Energy of the Sun
Designers Shani Nahum, Pauline van Dongen, Yvonne Mak, and Mireille Steinhage are imagining a future where solar textiles are the norm.
Products
Rice University’s New Architecture Hall Revives Terra-Cotta Tradition
Swiss firm Karamuk Kuo’s first U.S. project merges craft and performance with a custom ceramic rainscreen facade.
Viewpoints
Is the Furniture Industry Failing to Connect the Dots?
Mebl’s Michael J. Hirschhorn and Lot21’s Lew Epstein explore how the industry fails to understand how broader social, environmental, and health impacts are all interrelated.