East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) was requested to assist the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge (CMOR) in analyzing their existing building and developing conceptual images that reflect the museum’s revitalization goals. With the help of volunteer architect adviser, Jeff Johnson, AIA, the ETCDC designed a new museum entrance and gift shop, relocated offices and storage areas for maximum efficiency. The entry expansion created a new space to house the National Parks office. The design also located new accessible ramps and toilets to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and new exterior features that harken back to the historic character of the original building design. The plan also helped CMOR locate the historic Flattop House Exhibit.

CMOR is housed in the building that was originally the Highland View Elementary School. The school was one of several constructed in Oak Ridge to serve the children of the Manhattan Project employees and was completed in 1944.