The construction of the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Science Common, the new space for the Museum of Science in Boston—one of the oldest scientific organizations in the United States—is in its final stages. The 929 m² building was designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., and is scheduled to open to the public on October 10, 2026, followed by a formal event on October 28.
Located with views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline, this new glass civic space features movable walls and folding seating, allowing its functional purpose and programs to be changed. The project was conceived to support public dialogue about science, utilizing immersive media, production technologies, and live streaming to reach audiences beyond the city.
The new office building for William Rawn Associates complements the company's portfolio, which includes Seiji Ozawa Hall in Tanglewood, the Cambridge Public Library, and the renovation of the Boston Public Library Central Library. The concept for the museum project is to create an adaptive space that transforms in scale, atmosphere, and function. Thanks to movable walls and folding seats, the halls can switch from a round table format for daytime school programs to evening public events with a full stage.
In the center of the Common, visitors will find an immersive media environment designed using monumental display technologies, spatial audio, and real-time data visualization to explore topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, public health, and space exploration. The Deep Space system from Ars Electronica projects high-resolution images onto the floor and walls, transforming the hall into an interactive environment. Six mobile LED panels can be rearranged in the main hall in various configurations, displaying content ranging from cinematic narratives to astronomical data and real-time mission data.
The d&b Soundscape spatial sound system creates a three-dimensional auditory experience, while Blackmagic 4K cameras and live streaming technology ensure global real-time and on-demand transmission. The Museum of Science's Bloomberg Public Science Common program will be announced before the opening and will include daily activities for museum visitors, as well as special programs featuring scientists, creators, and public figures. The program will also feature robotics demonstrations and presentations on genetics, climate science, and new technologies, aiming to bring scientific research closer to the general public.
In other regions, Pelli Clarke & Partners recently completed the Lola Mora Cultural Center in San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina, dedicated to the life and work of Argentine sculptor Lola Mora (1866-1936). This project was the company's first cultural building in South America and the last led by its late founder, architect César Pelli. In Ecuador, an international team led by SANAA, in collaboration with Estudio A0, Caá Porá Arquitectura, Jerome Haferd Studio, and Taller Capital Landscape, was selected to design the new National Museum of Ecuador (MuNA) in Quito. In the United Arab Emirates, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi announced the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by the late Frank Gehry, to the public on December 11, 2026.