For a century now, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has stood as a prominent institution, esteemed as one of the premier natural history museums across North America. It holds the distinction of being the largest museum in Ohio solely committed to exploring the wonders of the natural sciences. With innovative exhibits highlighting everything from dinosaur fossils to ancient human skeletons like “Lucy,” the museum fulfills its mission of exploring and discovering our natural world.

A picturesque outdoor courtyard also sits at the center of the Museum. Designed by Pashek + MTR, the Smith Environmental Courtyard offers visitors a serene retreat during their museum experience, creates a functional space for hosting events and assemblies, showcases the museum’s efforts in natural habitat preservation and native plant conservation, and echoes the overarching mission to ignite a love for the natural world.

The central motif for this project was ‘water’, which can be seen in almost every facet of the design. From the waterfall to the materials chosen that mimic the fluidity of water, the project works in perfect harmony. Notably, winding pathways through the courtyard make use of blue and grey toned pavers to create a paving pattern that captures the essence of a flowing river. These pavers are the Unilock Copthorne pavers in Basalt and Steel Blue. With their European street-inspired appearance, they also bring a touch of timeless elegance to the surroundings, while their superior durability ensures they withstand the test of time. The thoughtful design seamlessly blends functionality with style, creating an inviting and enduring outdoor space for all to enjoy.