Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

OZ Architecture partnered with general contractor Hensel Phelps to win a design competition for this community resource. The goal of this Museum is to inspire both today and tomorrow. That is, that the Museum should offer a different experience to a visitor both daily and annually. In response, OZ was careful to create a high-performing LEED Platinum® shell that both enhances the impact of today’s exhibits and allows for future flexibility. The project includes over 11,000 sf of exhibit space that tells stories of science and history and a custom “Digital Dome” space for both IMAX and Planetarium programs. Community resource rooms, education classrooms, collections archives, shops, and administrative offices act as supporting components.

This facility acts as an exhibit itself, highlighting its many resource-efficient strategies. The building is carefully sited between the heritage of downtown Fort Collins and the natural wetlands of the Poudre River and includes extensive landscaping and outdoor exhibits.