Snøhetta Designs a Cloud-Like Children's Museum in El Paso

Architecture studio Snøhetta has designed a children’s museum in El Paso, Texas, inspired by the form of clouds, reflecting the nature of the La Nube STEAM Discovery Center.

Cloud-Like Design

Located in downtown El Paso, less than two kilometers from one of the primary crossings into Mexico, the La Nube STEAM Discovery Center was designed using multiple cloud-related metaphors.

The building’s undulating roof, covered with aluminum panels, resembles a cloud floating above the adjacent low-lying structures.

Symbolism of Clouds

Elaine Molinar, managing director of Snøhetta and an El Paso native, stated, “The cloud form came from many, many different places.”

She explained that clouds symbolize transnational nature, as they float above without regard for political or cultural borders.

Molinar added, “Clouds don’t adhere to cultural or political borders of any kind. It’s about a shared sky.

” She continued, “People here have friends and family on both sides of the border, crossing daily in a straightforward, harmonious way.”

Interactive Interior and Exterior Design

The facade features aluminum panels in three different forms, topped by a standing-seam metal roof.

Circular punched windows and rounded vertical glazing were incorporated to handle the intense desert sun. At night, fiber optic lights illuminate the facade, creating a starry sky effect.

The building also includes a cantilevered waterpark above the main entrance, overlooking a xeriscaped park designed with sensitivity to the arid climate.

The water in the waterpark is recycled, with a window allowing children to observe the filtration process.

Molinar noted, “Understanding water, playing with water—that’s a pretty integral part of the visitor experience, especially for younger kids.”

Educational and Playful Spaces

The building spans four floors, with an interior designed to be playful and interactive. The ground floor has a rectilinear plan, while the upper floors feature curved angles.

Crisscrossing staircases, walkways, and mezzanines enhance visual and interactive experiences.

The second and third floors are dedicated to educational exhibits, while classrooms and administrative offices are located at the back of the building.

The fourth floor includes an open terrace overlooking the waterpark.

Colorful, interactive installations were installed in collaboration with exhibition designers Gyroscope, including climbing spaces and playful contraptions.

Cultural Connection

In the lobby, a screen displays a live feed from a museum across the border, fostering cultural connectivity between the two communities.