by Brianna Crandall — March 16, 2012—After years of planning and widespread community support, the eco-friendly Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science broke ground on February 24th in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the museum’s new site overlooking Biscayne Bay, and marked the beginning of construction, with the new museum scheduled to open to the public by early 2015.
Designed by internationally recognized Grimshaw Architects, the 250,000 square-foot complex is expected to be among the world’s most innovative and sustainable science museums. According to Grimshaw—which received the AIA National Honor Award for its design of the Horno: Museo del Acero in Monterrey, Mexico—the Museum is intended to act as a demonstration of ecological and sustainability principles. The building will harness energy from water, sun, wind and even museum visitors to power exhibits and conserve resources.
The Museum is structured around a lushly landscaped indoor and outdoor “living core” of terrestrial and aquatic spaces, featuring a 600,000-gallon aquarium facility, a full-dome 3-D planetarium, interactive exhibits, innovative technology, and two additional wings of exhibition space, a learning center and cafés.
“Great cities are home to top-tier museums. The new Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science will elevate Miami into this rank while contributing to the city’s emergence as a major international destination for culture and innovation,” said Trish and Dan Bell, co-chairs of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. “Our new building should serve as a delightful gathering place for residents and visitors, and we look forward to the Museum greatly enhancing the motivation for science and technology education in the community. It will also be an outstanding economic and architectural asset for the city.”
A video is available on the facility’s Web site that lets readers virtually “fly through” the new Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.
