The Collaborative

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Second Wave Expansion

Services

  • Architecture
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Planning
  • Interior Design

Details

Location
Toledo, Ohio
Client
National Museum of the Great Lakes

Project

The Second Wave Expansion consisted of a 5,600-square-foot addition paired with 2,200 square feet of interior renovation to enhance and expand the Museum’s capacity for exhibitions, programming, and staff operations. The NMGL addition created a significantly larger and more flexible gallery environment, allowing the Museum to showcase a broader range of exhibits and provide visitors with an improved, more immersive experience.

In addition to the expanded gallery, the design incorporated increased office space to support the Museum’s evolving staffing needs and administrative functions. This growth ensured that teams had the room and resources necessary to continue delivering high-quality educational and cultural programming.

A key feature of the addition was the new multipurpose room, designed to accommodate a wide range of Museum-hosted activities. Paired with an adjacent pre-function lounge area, this space enhanced the Museum’s ability to host events such as lectures, student workshops, community programs, and special gatherings. Together, these new spaces strengthened NMGL’s role as an engaging, community-focused institution while supporting long-term organizational growth.

Project Gallery