Stamford Museum & Nature Center (SMNC) selected A.P. Construction Company (APC) to manage the construction of Phase II of its master plan, which includes a new Planetarium and Astronomy Center. Construction recently began on the project, located at SMNC’s 118-acre campus in Stamford, CT.
The $13.6 million, 11,000-square-foot Planetarium and Astronomy Center will be a state-of-the-art modern facility that will feature a 40-foot diameter Planetarium dome, a flat-floor 100-seat theater with articulating seats, an Observatory with a motorized roll-back roof, open-air deck, and a suite of telescopes with solar and lunar capabilities. In addition, there will be a welcoming lobby gallery, scenic outdoor terraces, a gift shop, two classrooms, offices for astronomy and technology, an elevator, and ADA-compliant facilities. The architect of the project is TSKP Studio and the Owners’ Representative is the Construction Consulting Group, led by Todd Gambino.
“We are thrilled to partner with the SMNC team on this pivotal project and provide a modern and impactful facility for our community,” said Jason Hart, Chief Operating Officer of APC. “The APC team is poised to successfully deliver this tremendous facility which will be such a tremendous asset to Stamford and the surrounding communities to experience,” added Hart.
The Planetarium and Astronomy Center will be a major addition to the SMNC, which is renowned to be one of the most comprehensive museums in Connecticut. Astronomy programming has long been a mission signature ever since the Museum’s first astronomy classes were held in 1941. They continue to this day. The facility, which is expected to be open in late summer 2025, will provide a unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience and learn about astronomy. It will also present a comprehensive STEAM curriculum, a valuable resource for schools and community groups.
The SMNC is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Stamford community for over 87 years. The museum offers a wide variety of educational programs and exhibits, including the Planetarium and Astronomy Center, the Heckscher Farm, the Children’s Discovery Center, and the Stamford History Center.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the new Planetarium and Astronomy Center when it opens in late summer 2025. This state-of-the-art facility will offer a unique and educational experience for visitors of all ages. You can also support the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Stamford community for over 87 years, by attending its educational programs and exhibits, and by making donations.
