EcoTarium Stoddard Hall

new traveling exhibit and event space addition Expands this Museum’s Educational Impact

Timberline partnered with  EcoTarium Museum of Natural History to deliver a major expansion and renovation project over the course of 10 months. The centerpiece was the construction of a 9,000 SF addition, Stoddard Hall, designed to host large-scale traveling exhibits and serve as a flexible event space. Built atop an existing roof above museum offices, the addition demanded precise coordination to keep the occupied spaces below dry and undisturbed.

This new space marks a significant leap forward in the museum’s ability to broaden its educational reach. Purposefully designed to support the growth of science and nature programming, Stoddard Hall will enable the EcoTarium to engage visitors of all ages with more diverse, interactive and immersive experiences. From world class exhibits to community events, the hall offers a versatile platform for learning and discovery.

The exhibit hall features 15 feet high ceilings, open ductwork and customizable lighting to support a wide variety of programs. The space also includes climate control systems to protect sensitive artifacts and is fully prepared for solar panels, positioning the museum for future sustainability upgrades.

Inside the museum, a former cafeteria was transformed into modern executive offices. An existing concrete spiral staircase was removed and infilled to accommodate new family and third-floor bathrooms along with additional accessible facilities and storage.  Behind the scenes, essential building systems were updated to support the new spaces, including plumbing and fire protection, all integrated with minimal disruption to daily operations.

Outside, the addition’s exterior was finished with a mix of modern metal siding that complements the museum’s original texture and mid-century design. New glass walls were added to bring in natural light and the surrounding parking lot was upgraded to improve accessibility for all visitors.