SAN DIEGO, CA—Construction begins this week on a $7.5 million project to—quite literally—raise the roof of the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat). The current Atrium ceiling will be removed and replaced with a new design that is more sustainable, offers better climate control, and allows for the addition of solar panels.
“We are not only stewards of the natural world, but of the building itself,” said Judy Gradwohl, the Christy Walton President and CEO. “We welcome nearly 400,000 people each year and maintain a research collection of 9 million specimens that tell the story of life in our region. This significant investment in our infrastructure will safeguard our collection and improve the museum experience for visitors, schoolchildren, volunteers, and staff.”
The section being replaced sits directly over the Atrium and represents about 30% of the overall rooftop area. Surrounding areas, such as the rooftop event space and sections containing HVAC equipment, will not be affected.
Admission is half-price between September 15 and early November since the theater and several galleries surrounding the Atrium will be closed for safety purposes. The Nat’s newest experience, Amazement in the Basement and the adjacent Paleo Center, will remain on view along with favorites like Living Lab, Unshelved, Coast to Cactus in Southern California, parts of Fossil Mysteries, and more. The Craft Taco (cafe) and Gold Leaf retail store will operate from a temporary location on site, though the Giant Screen Theater will be closed.
Visitors may enter through the historic south entrance just off the Prado walkway or an ADA-friendly entrance along Village Place on the west side of the building; the north entrance by the giant fig tree will be closed. The parking lot directly east of the Museum will be closed beginning September 23 for cranes, equipment, and staging.
The Museum plans to reopen most of the galleries and amenities by mid-November once the new roof is in place, though two small 4th floor galleries will remain closed until spring 2026 due to additional finishing work. Park visitors are encouraged to check the Visit page of the website, which will be updated regularly to communicate what is accessible during construction.
The skylight structure that tops the Atrium is more than 25 years old and, while beautiful, is at the end of its useful lifespan (in fact, a panel failure caused significant water damage last year during a rainstorm). The new, solid design will offer many benefits:
The solid roof allows for the installation of 200 solar panels, which will result in reduced energy use with an estimated cost savings of $200,000 per year.
Better climate control and improved collections care. The old skylights created a greenhouse effect, resulting in huge temperature swings that needed to be mitigated with extra heating, cooling, and humidity control measures. The new, solid roof will allow for better temperature control—a critical element in the preservation of scientific collections.
Longevity and maintenance. The old skylight system had a useful life of 25 to 30 years, as did new skylight options that were considered. The soon-to-be installed flat roof has a lifespan of close to 100 years and will be easier to maintain.
Better protection against climate-fueled disasters. The mostly steel structure will be much more resilient against unprecedented rainstorms, flooding, and urban wildfires than the current system made of plastic panels.
The roof replacement project is made possible with funding from the State of California and private philanthropy through the Museum’s capital campaign.
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is one of California’s oldest and most respected cultural and scientific institutions. Founded in 1874 by a small group of community scientists, the Museum works to preserve and protect this amazing place we call home. The Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park. For more information, call 877.946.7797 or visit sdnat.org. Follow The Nat on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
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For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Paula Sternberg, Science Communications Manager, psternberg@sdnhm.org, 619.255.0220