Children's Museums · Thanksgiving Point Institute

Butterfly Biosphere

wonder, up close →

Butterfly Biosphere

About this project

An immersive, interactive habitat experience where families meet pollinators up close — blending sculpted environments, live-conservatory sightlines, and hands-on interactives that reward slow, careful curiosity.

Thanksgiving Point wanted a signature pollinator destination. We designed and built the 33,000-square-foot Butterfly Biosphere — a discovery zone of hands-on activities and exhibits, a Costa Rican–themed climbing structure, and an indoor conservatory that is home to thousands of live butterflies. It opened in January 2019.

VerticalChildren's Museums
ClientThanksgiving Point Institute
ServicesDesign + Fabrication
Location & yearLehi, UT · 2019

What success looked like

Success was 33,000 square feet of wonder — a live-butterfly conservatory, a Costa Rican–themed climber, and a discovery zone that made Thanksgiving Point a pollinator destination from the day it opened in January 2019. Seven years on, the Costa Rica Climber and Discovery Zone still anchor the experience.

“Explore the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Butterfly Conservatory, where over a thousand live butterflies from around the world inspire and awe guests of all ages.”

Gallery

Butterfly Biosphere — project photo 1
Butterfly Biosphere — project photo 2
Butterfly Biosphere — project photo 3
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Butterfly Biosphere — project photo 8
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