Cultural
The new Kaleideum Children/Science Museum sets out to inspire wonder, curiosity, and lifelong learning. STITCH partnered with Gensler and Surface 678 to help ensure this mission becomes reality. The new state of the art facility will serve as a community hub and is flanked by two urban parks solidifying the museum’s responsibility to engage the environment and live outside its formal walls. Through purposeful collaboration the design team is exploring ideas to enhance the Kaleideum visitor experience by channeling visitors through the passive park to the north and the active park to the east. The two parks will provide very different experiences and amenities but in concert will provide a tremendous resource for Kaleideum and the City of Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem, NC
20 months
70,000 sq feet
Architecture, Interior Design
Our team completed assessments for renovating the existing Kaleideum Museum, as well as the possibility of designing an addition. Ultimately, the client and the design team decided that a completely new museum building was needed to meet the goals of the organization and the needs of the community.
The building concept centers on experiencing spaces from diverse perspectives, drawing inspiration from the geometric forms of a kaleidoscope, the artistic and scientific instrument behind the Museum’s name. The exterior features smooth, colorful metal panels alongside textured precast concrete, whose folding surfaces create dynamic light, shadow, and color effects that shift with the time of day and viewing angle.
Through the innovative use of form, materials, and color to provide compelling visual effects, the new Kaleideum building embodies the spirit of the City of Arts & Innovation while embracing Kaleideum’s mission of inspiring wonder, curiosity and lifelong learning, and providing a safe and welcoming place for our entire community to learn and dream together
Kaleideum has redefined what a museum can be for Winston-Salem, shifting from a place of passive observation to one of active engagement and community transformation. Its presence has revitalized the downtown area, turning it into a thriving hub of creativity and play. The museum’s innovative approach has redefined the city’s cultural landscape, fostering a deeper appreciation for the integration of arts, sciences, and hands-on exploration. By attracting new visitors, sparking intergenerational connections, and supporting local businesses, Kaleideum has played a crucial role in shaping Winston-Salem’s future as a vibrant, innovative city.
