Houston, Texas
Since its opening in 1992, the Children's Museum of Houston has experienced steady growth in annual attendance. This success in attracting a growing audience is to their leadership in educational development for early childhood learning programs and exhibits. With this success, the museum's board of trustees returned to Jackson & Ryan Architects to design a major expansion that will address the need for more exhibition space, more public support space, educational office space and more parking. This Phase II expansion of the Children's Museum includes the addition of a three-level, 40,000 SF exhibit building, a three-story 16,700 SF administration building and a one-level parking deck to add 140 spaces, as well as renovation of the original 1992 building. Completed in March 2009, the Phase II expansion doubled the size of the original building, allowing for critical improvement of the visitor participatory learning experience. The Children's Museum of Houston remained open during all phases of construction.
1993 Honor Award, Architecture, American Institute of Architects Houston Chapter