Cleveland Museum of Natural History Named One of World’s Most Beautiful Museums

Following its recent $150 million reimagining the Cleveland Museum of Art was honored by Prix Versailles as one of the World’ Most Beautiful Museums. With honorees announced each year at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) since 2015, Prix Versailles is a series of competitions focused on architecture and judged by a jury from around the world. In addition to museums, other facilities recognized include airports, sports complexes and campuses, while criteria for judging spans the categories of innovation, social interaction, efficiency, creativity and more.

Only seven museums around the globe were named to the list, placing the Cleveland Museum of Natural History among institutions such as the Grand Palais in Paris, the Saka Museum in Bali, the Kunstilo in Norway and the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.

“The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s recognition as one of the world’s most beautiful museums by Prix Versailles is a testament to the power of visionary architecture and sustainable design,” DLR Group principal and global cultural ad performing arts leader Dan Clevenger said in a May 5, 2025, press release announcing the honor.

DLR Group was the museum’s architectural partner in the renovation, which has a focus on sustainability and includes features like bird-safe glass and solar panels, as well as plenty of natural light. These features have improved the museum’s ecological impact as well as the visitor experience.

“Every aspect of our transformed museum aims to achieve one unified vision: to promote healthy humans, a healthy planet and a better future for all,” Cleveland Museum of Natural History CEO and President Sonia Winner said in the May 5, 2025, release. “We are thrilled that this commitment to architecture in the service of science has been recognized on an international stage.”

For more information on the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, visit cmnh.org