The backside of the San Diego Natural History Museum (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

Raising the Roof on The NAT

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Major construction is about to begin at the San Diego Natural History Museum (The NAT) as the 150,000-square-foot building starts becoming “environmentally green.”

The project will see the installation of 200 solar panels on the atrium roof, which will be replaced with a heightened new ceiling for improved climate control. The skylight structure is 25 years old and suffered water damage during a storm last winter. In addition, officials say the aging design creates a greenhouse effect with fluctuating temperatures that are detrimental to the museum’s scientific collections. (Those colossal dinosaur skeletons inside the building don’t like atmospheric swings.)

The upcoming new roof will have a lifespan of 100 years while saving an estimated $200,000 a year in energy use.

Cost of the project: $7.5 million. It will be paid for by the State of California, private philanthropy, and fundraising. Estimated date of completion: The first quarter of 2026.