The Perot Museum of Nature and Science plans to take more of its exhibits outdoors, replacing surface parking in downtown Dallas with science demonstrations, gardens and a fire tornado more than a story high.
The museum announced the approximately four-acre campus transformation Tuesday, along with $135 million in commitments toward its $185 million Curiosity Unbound campaign. That leaves $50 million to reach the campaign goal, which also supports the museum’s endowment, programs and community engagement.
The museum plans to begin construction in early 2027 and open the expansion in late 2028. It expects the project to double its exhibition space and draw 400,000 additional visitors annually.
Outdoor science exhibits
The outdoor exhibit area will span 60,000 square feet, with approximately 25 large-scale exhibits and 40 learning touchpoints, according to the museum’s announcement. Visitors will explore wind, water, weather and other natural systems through experiments and live science demonstrations.
Plans include a lightning and thunder pavilion, a giant water vortex and a cloud maze. Visitors will also generate water pressure to launch a geyser and examine how flowing water changes a landscape.
“This project represents an opportunity to rethink how and where people experience science,” Mike Spiewak, the museum’s vice president of exhibitions, said in the release. “By moving beyond the physical limits of the building, our goal is to create an environment where discovery feels unexpected and alive, inspiring curiosity and opening new ways for people to connect with the awesome power of nature.”
Green space and campus upgrades
Beyond the exhibits, the project includes a redesigned entrance and lobby, expanded educational, dining and event spaces, an on-site parking garage and infrastructure improvements.
The museum plans to replace surface parking with shade trees, native plants, pollinator habitat and water features. Staff members are recording local air temperatures and monitoring air quality to establish a baseline for measuring the project’s environmental effects.
The museum also aims to strengthen connections with Victory Park, Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Arts District and the surrounding downtown area through the new green space and entrance.
The museum has welcomed more than 14 million visitors since opening in 2012 and now serves more than 1 million people annually, including nearly 230,000 schoolchildren, according to the release.
The project follows the 2025 expansion of the Moody Family Children’s Museum, which The Dallas Express covered when the redesigned space opened.
The project team includes design architect Morphosis, landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, architect of record The Beck Group and general contractor Balfour Beatty.
