The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire represents a transformative leap from its modest origins to a striking 25,000-square-foot carbon-neutral facility that engages and educates children while revitalizing the downtown area. 

The design features a prominent corner bay window and a tactile precast concrete exterior with bark-like textures and porthole windows, drawing the community in and providing glimpses into the lively interior. The building has become a hub for family activities, with a 400% increase in memberships and over 150,000 visitors since opening.

Central to the museum’s design is its use of whole-tree construction, which integrates 31 whole-tree columns and 126 whole-tree trusses and girders into the structural framework. These timber elements are not only visible but form an essential part of the museum’s educational experience, demonstrating sustainable building practices and creating a tactile environment for exploration.

“As a father of a four-year-old, I looked at it from the perspective of how a child might experience the space. The raw wood structure would provoke wonder. It’s not obvious that most buildings are made of trees, but this one’s provided that education is a fun, playful way.” 

Corey Squire, AIA (2024 Design Awards Juror)

The museum’s interior, featuring a flexible, loft-like space, supports diverse learning opportunities and can adapt over time to new educational needs. Sustainable features such as geothermal wells, photovoltaic cells, and a well-insulated enclosure reinforce the museum’s commitment to carbon neutrality, while the use of local materials and design elements roots the building firmly in its regional context.