About Snøhetta
Named after a stunning, secluded, and historically significant mountain in central Norway, Snøhetta is a globally recognised multidisciplinary design practice that typically combines diverse interests across projects such as architecture, landscape, interior, art, product design, and graphic and digital design. Their work is driven by the desire to provide spaces for civilisations to engage with one another and with the world around them. Diversity and collaboration are essential for achieving their objective. With an exciting new project: a children’s museum in Omaha, Nebraska, Snøhetta is redefining the museum experience by transforming the area into a vibrant centre that encourages children’s creativity, discovery, and education across the area. With Omaha’s sense of community as its compass, Snøhetta is using this project to investigate how architecture, created especially for its youngest users, may act as a platform for creativity and happiness.
More On The Museum
Situated on the east end of downtown Omaha, overlooking the river, and just a few blocks from the Kiewit Luminarium, the new Omaha Children’s Museum will be a place influenced by the best practices in early child development, with exhibits and programming that encourage joy, curiosity, and connection for young children and their guardians. Snøhetta’s idea of architecture as an experience that transcends practicality is reflected in the museum’s design, which aims to create a space that appeals to both families and children. The design promotes experiential learning in several ways by combining interactive areas with provocative installations. Each part of the museum is designed to accommodate various play and learning preferences, enhancing individual development. The design is purposefully whimsical and encourages youngsters to explore with all of their senses, creating an immersive experience.
The new, four-story museum will carry on the Children’s Museum of Omaha’s 40-year heritage. The museum concept, which is aimed at younger audiences (0–8 years old), will feature a cafe, a play workshop, a 175-seat performance area, and multiple exhibition rooms. The joyful trip begins even before entering the building, with rubberised mounds emerging in the plaza, inviting visitors to climb and play before exploring everything the museum has to offer inside. The architecture incorporates whimsical displays and dynamic accessibility. Railings and steps wind around the inside, transforming circulation routes into recreational opportunities, making the travel through the building part of interest once the visitor is inside.
The museum offers a range of well-designed areas to accommodate all age groups and character types, guaranteeing that every child feels included and welcomed. There are vibrant, dynamic play areas made for more active pursuits that promote active participation and aid in the development of kids’ motor skills and self-assurance. In addition to these, calmer spaces like reading nooks and painting stations provide kids a chance to relax, ponder, and reflect while developing their imagination and focus. Children can explore creative expression in ways that feel exciting and natural to them since these areas are made to be flexible. Mayor Stothert responds positively to the project saying “This entire development fits right in with all the year-round family-friendly activities at the surrounding parks, museums, and entertainment venues downtown…We love that the site has easy access for pedestrians and cyclists and a location directly on the ORBT bus and Omaha Streetcar routes, and we know that the new City of Omaha parking garage will get plenty of use from museum guests, Beam tenants, and everyone visiting downtown.”
The museum’s well-considered layout offers a secure setting where kids can form connections with others in addition to being a place to have fun. This setting encourages children to think creatively and beyond the box in order to develop vital life skills that are invaluable in a world that is changing rapidly. Snøhetta’s children’s museum, which is destined to become a beloved icon in Omaha, exemplifies a creative approach to design where architecture and creativity collide. This museum aims to be a place that Omaha families will cherish by offering a space specifically designed for play, exploration, and education—a place where kids may let their imaginations run free.
References:
- Snøhetta unveils design for Omaha Children’s Museum’s new building and plaza (2024). https://parametric-architecture.com/snohetta-omaha-childrens-museum/ (Accessed: November 9, 2024).
- We are designing the new Omaha’s Children’s Museum! (2024). https://www.snohetta.com/news/we-are-designing-the-new-omahas-childrens-museum.
