By Ainsley Weems | MSU Communication Student Class of 2026
The Jackson Planetarium is a community and state loved museum. The planetarium celebrates history, inspires a love for science and is a key piece of downtown revitalization in Jackson. The architects from CDFL Architects + Engineers are helping create a new three-story atrium that connects to historic buildings, a dome theater with 360-degree projection, the world’s first orbital space
museum – that also features artifacts Dr. McNair used aboard the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1984 – and expanded educational spaces.
Last month, 56 Mississippi State University fifth-year architecture students were invited to tour the redesigned site, guided by CDFL project architects Chris Meyers, AIA, and Daniel Zegel, AIA.
Assistant Professor Aaron White commended Zegel for his communication on the project’s progression. White found the students were able to better understand the relationship between design intent and realization due to the explanations Zegal gave.
“Project Architect Daniel Zegel not only presented the redesigned building but provided insights into the challenges and opportunities that defined CDFL's approach,” White said, “allowing students to better understand the relation between design intent and realization.”
CDFL continues to support educational efforts made by Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture, whether it be through design materials or tours of ongoing project sites, leaving a lasting impact year-round on the students.
For nearly a decade, CDFL has sponsored the Capstone Studio for Mississippi State Architecture. Their sponsorship supports V-B students' design work through the tools and materials for the design. The sponsorship also allows the School of Architecture to bring in nationally recognized critics from outside the school to help the students evaluate and reflect on their work.
The planetarium is set to open within May to June of 2026. Read more on the CDFL Architects + Engineers’ redesign here.