Children’s Museum of Virginia

After nearly nine years of planning, and two years under construction, the City of Portsmouth opened its 72,000-square-foot Children’s Museum of Virginia to the public on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

The project included the complete interior and exterior renovation of the Children’s Museum of Virginia in Downtown Portsmouth, Virginia. Inside and out this amazing transformation of a treasured local museum adds color, energy, and excitement to everything around it. The all-glass curtain wall at the lobby provides an inviting visual connection between the pedestrian mall, High Street sidewalk and the building lobby. The Design Team worked collaboratively with the City of Portsmouth, Department of Museums and the exhibit designer to ensure that there would be seamless coordination between the exhibits and the building improvements.

The exterior renovations and site improvements to the connecting pedestrian mall, parking garage and the adjoining side street provide a much more identifiable entry point and begin the museum experience as visitors make their way to the entrance. The improvements at King Street include a drive through “train station” canopy for school groups that arrive by bus. Colorful pennants, energetic LED lighting, and a strong pedestrian connection to the Portsmouth’s Old Towne District unifies the project with a fun, festival-like atmosphere designed to draw children and their families from across the region.