The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is set to transform a four‑acre parcel of downtown Dallas parking into a vibrant outdoor science campus. The museum unveiled the plan Tuesday, noting that the $185 million “Curiosity Unbound” campaign already has $135 million pledged, leaving $50 million to reach its goal.
Project scope and timeline
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the new outdoor area expected to open in late 2028. The expansion will more than double the museum’s exhibition space and is projected to draw an additional 400,000 visitors each year.
Outdoor exhibits and learning experiences
The 60,000‑square‑foot outdoor venue will host roughly 25 large‑scale exhibits and 40 interactive learning touchpoints. Guests will explore wind, water, weather and other natural systems through hands‑on experiments and live demonstrations. Highlights include a lightning and thunder pavilion, a giant water vortex, a cloud maze, and a fire tornado that towers more than a story high. Visitors will also be able to generate water pressure to launch a geyser and observe how flowing water reshapes a landscape.
Design and sustainability features
Design architect Morphosis, landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, The Beck Group (architect of record) and general contractor Balfour Beatty are collaborating on the project. The plan replaces surface parking with shade trees, native plants, pollinator habitat and water features, creating a greener, more climate‑responsive campus. Museum staff will monitor local air temperature and air‑quality metrics to establish a baseline for measuring the project’s environmental impact.
Community and connectivity
Beyond the exhibits, the expansion includes a redesigned entrance and lobby, expanded educational, dining and event spaces, and an on‑site parking garage. The museum hopes the new green space will strengthen ties with nearby Victory Park, Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Arts District and the broader downtown area.
Visitor impact and museum history
Since opening in 2012, the Perot Museum has welcomed more than 14 million visitors and now serves over 1 million people annually, including nearly 230,000 schoolchildren. The outdoor campus builds on the museum’s 2025 expansion of the Moody Family Children’s Museum, further cementing its role as a leading educational destination in Dallas.
Funding and next steps
The Curiosity Unbound campaign supports the expansion, the museum’s endowment, programs and community outreach. With $135 million already pledged, the museum is seeking the remaining $50 million to complete the campaign. Once construction begins, the museum will provide regular updates on progress and opportunities for community involvement.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
