October 14, 2006—Like the art-orientated children’s activities within, the architecture of the new state-of-the-art Children’s Museum/Museo de los Niños San Diego is intended to stimulate the mind. Designed by renowned architect and downtown San Diego resident Rob Wellington Quigley, the energy-efficient structure—known as the Muse—will be the “greenest” building in downtown San Diego, according to Quigley.

“The innovative architecture is appropriate for the building’s purpose of education and exploration,” Quigley said. “The most dramatic architectural items are actually functioning elements of the sustainable design. For instance, the glass-enclosed elevator tower will soar 92 feet above the sidewalk yet is a key element of the natural ventilation system. And the unusual angled roof design was done purposely to facilitate solar panels and day lighting,” he explained.

The central elevator tower will act as a cooling chimney exhausting hot air from the naturally cooled and heated gallery spaces. The natural ventilation system, designed with assistance from Paul Linden, professor of engineering at University of California San Diego, is based on the forces of convection—breezes enter the building through open doors and windows at the lower level and as the air in the building heats up, it rises and exits the building through the chimney. The convection process pulls natural air through the building to keep the Museum within a comfortable temperature range.
Energy consumption will be decreased further by the building’s extensive use of natural daylight. By sinking the garden at the entrance, daylight is brought into the lower levels; north-facing clerestory windows will bring additional light into the gallery and office spaces. The roof’s orientation and saw-tooth design will accommodate future solar and heating panels to augment the natural source of energy.

It is estimated that the natural ventilation and lighting systems will decrease energy consumption to half that used by a building of comparable size. Recycled building materials were used wherever possible and waterless urinals will be additional environmentally friendly elements.

”This is an example of how green building can be extremely engaging,” said Quigley. “The structure will set new standards for urban green architecture and hopefully inspire additional environmentally sensitive buildings downtown.”

The $25 million project, which includes the $18 million atrium-style structure, will feature a dramatic entrance bridge that spans from Island Avenue into the see-through Museum to a point 17 feet above the lower level. Vertical construction began on the 50,000-square foot, three-story facility in September and the grand re-opening is anticipated for early 2008.

Children's Museum/Museo de los Niños San Diego is a cultural and educational institution with a quarter-century history of hands-on, arts-based programs for children and their families. The new Museum at 200 West Island Avenue will include art galleries, the Museum School, the Toddler Space, Clay, Paint and Design Studios, the Tech Space, birthday party rooms, a revolving artist-in-residence space and a sit-down café. The adjacent Museum Park will include outdoor works by artists and space for children to create art.

To contribute to the new Museum’s Capital Campaign, click on childrensmuseumsd.org or call 619 233 8792. A total of $8.5 million has been secured in recent months and individual donations, large and small, are now being sought. Commemorative tiles, which will become a permanent part of the Muse, are now on sale, ranging in price from $175 to $750.