Griffin Museum Unveils New Welcome Hall Design
The design introduces an accessible entrance to improve visitor arrival at the historic Chicago museum.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Historical
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The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has unveiled a new Welcome Hall design by RAMSA to modernize visitor access. The project aims to create a direct ground-level route into the facility, bypassing current navigation hurdles.
Why it matters
The renovation seeks to significantly reduce arrival times and improve accessibility by creating a seamless connection to the surrounding campus. This design respects the historic limestone and granite facade while enhancing the overall visitor experience.
The new entrance will eliminate the need to navigate more than 100 stairs and two elevators to reach the exhibitions. This project follows a master plan that assessed over 400,000 square feet of museum space.
The players
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Located in Chicago, this institution is one of the largest science museums in the world and is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts.
RAMSA
Robert A.M. Stern Architects is a renowned architecture firm that completed the comprehensive museum master plan in 2024.
The details
The plan introduces a glazed volume connecting the North Portico to internal exhibition spaces, while the South Portico project will integrate the historic Coal Mine exhibit. Additionally, the site will feature new Science Gardens and public restrooms that remain accessible without requiring museum admission.
Timeline
The building originally functioned as the Palace of Fine Arts in 1893.
The Coal Mine exhibit first opened in 1933.
The museum master plan was completed by RAMSA in 2024.
The design for the Welcome Hall was officially unveiled on October 27, 2026.
The South Portico is scheduled to reopen in winter 2027.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader trend in historic preservation where institutions modernize circulation patterns to better serve diverse, accessible needs. By integrating new glazed volumes into the structure, the museum updates its legacy while honoring its architectural roots.
Visitors will no longer need to navigate over 100 stairs or rely on elevators to reach exhibitions, drastically shortening entry times. The addition of new Science Gardens and restrooms will provide the public with accessible outdoor space even without a ticket.
The takeaway
The redesign demonstrates how cultural institutions can bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern accessibility standards. Visitors can anticipate a more intuitive and inclusive arrival process once the project reaches completion.
What happens next
The museum is scheduled to reopen the historic South Portico as an additional accessible entrance in winter 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the architectural evolution of the city at Chicago Historical.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ArchDaily.
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