A science museum that wears optimism like a curved hull—part riverfront landmark, part family-friendly machine for wonder.
Non-profit organization in the USA.
Featured in Moshe Safdie's definitive monograph, Moshe Safdie: Architecture of Memory.
Visitor Guide
Don’t beeline to exhibits—do a full perimeter pass first so you understand how the building stages the river as its ‘biggest gallery.’
From the Arkansas River path directly opposite the main entrance, shoot 45 minutes before sunset to get warm highlights on the curved glass and long shadows under canopy lines.
Ticketed museum. Typical hours: Sun–Wed 10:00–17:00, Thu 10:00–20:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–17:00. Adult admission is around $20 (discounts and member/free programs exist).
Safdie’s trick here is institutional theater: the building behaves like a continuous promenade where the ‘science’ starts before you touch an exhibit—light, reflection, and long views are the first demonstrations.
2–3 hours
Design & Structure
Museum-as-route: a sequence of curved volumes and glazed edges coordinated to pull daylight and views deep into circulation. The design method is less parametric ornament, more environmental and experiential scripting—shape follows movement and light.
Glass and metal are used to keep the building readable from the river and to make interior movement visible—public learning as a transparent activity.
Long-span public zones and curved envelopes demand careful coordination between primary structure, façade systems, and acoustics—especially for a museum with crowds, shows, and big open volumes.
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Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
National Gallery of Canada
Hebrew College
Yad Vashem
Habitat 67
United States Institute of Peace
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Exploration Place?+
Exploration Place was designed by Moshe Safdie and completed in 2000. It is located in Kansas, United States.
Where is Exploration Place located?+
Exploration Place is located in Kansas, United States. Its coordinates are 37.6900°, -97.3500°.
When was Exploration Place built?+
Exploration Place was completed in 2000. It was designed by Moshe Safdie.
Can I visit Exploration Place?+
Exploration Place is a real building in Kansas that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.