Architecture studio Snøhetta has designed La Nube, a cloud-shaped children’s museum in downtown El Paso, Texas. Since the city sits just two kilometers from the Mexican border, the design symbolizes both the imagination of children and the fluid nature of clouds. These natural formations move freely across borders, much like the people who travel between El Paso and Juárez every day.
Elaine Molinar, managing director at Snøhetta and an El Paso native, explained that the museum’s form was inspired by multiple cloud-related ideas. “Clouds don’t adhere to cultural or political borders,” she said. “They symbolize a shared sky, just like the people in El Paso and Juárez, who move seamlessly between both countries in their daily lives.” Because of this concept, the museum was designed to be open, welcoming, and inspiring.
Innovative Design for Learning and Play
The exterior of La Nube includes several striking features:
- A flowing, cloud-like roof with undulating gables and vaults, reinforcing the theme.
- Three types of aluminum paneling, creating a mist-like effect on the facade.
- Circular and vertical windows, carefully positioned to filter intense desert sunlight.
- Fiber-optic lighting, which transforms the facade into a starry display at night.
Above the main entrance, a cantilevered deck extends outward, offering visitors an exciting water play area. This space overlooks a drought-tolerant landscaped park, which was designed with sustainability in mind. The park continuously recycles the water, and a visible filtration system teaches children about water conservation.
Inside, the building spans four levels, each thoughtfully designed for exploration. Some of the key features include:
- A grand staircase, leading visitors from the lobby to the upper floors.
- Crisscrossing stairways and mezzanines, providing dynamic viewpoints.
- Colorful, interactive installations, developed in collaboration with exhibition designers Gyroscope.
- A central climbing structure, made of stacked geometric shapes, encouraging hands-on play.
The second and third floors house exhibition spaces arranged around a large open atrium, ensuring that children always feel connected to the rest of the museum. Meanwhile, the school tucked away the classrooms and administrative offices at the back. On the fourth floor, a terrace extends outward, seamlessly connecting to the water park below.
A Museum Without Borders
Given its unique location, the museum embraces a cross-border connection. A large screen in the lobby displays a live feed from a museum in Mexico, helping children feel connected to their peers across the border. To reinforce inclusivity, all signage is bilingual, with Spanish and English given equal prominence.
“We wanted the architecture to be more than just a container for exhibits,” Molinar said. “It had to be an experience in itself—playful, educational, and reflective of its environment.”
Since border architecture often sparks political debate in the U.S., La Nube stands out as a powerful symbol of unity, creativity, and cross-cultural exchange. By designing a space that fosters learning and collaboration, Snøhetta has created a museum that truly transcends borders.
