Three international architecture firms invited to submit designs for a new children’s museum in the Mexico-US border city of El Paso, Texas, will soon learn the outcome of a public vote.

Three firms are competing in the contest: the Santa Monica, California-based KoningEizenberg; Norwegian firm Snøhetta; and Mexico’s TEN Arquitectos.

El Paso Community Foundation says the new children’s museum will “spark imaginations, curiosity, creativity and critical thinking through immersive, experiential learning environments”.

A site has been found, in downtown El Paso’s arts district – a zone that houses the El Paso Museum of Art, the Museum of History, a Holocaust museum and a range of arts and music venues.

“Children’s museums and science centres are critical locations for education and experience for the whole family,” said Paul Kortenaar, executive director at the museum.

“Working with the entire community, we'll create a phenomenal destination where exploration and experimentation lead to discovery and learning.”

The local community has been invited to view the finalists’ concepts and vote for their favourite between 5 and 15 December.

Alongside the vote, a jury of peers will weigh in, and the winning firm will be asked to partner a local architecture firm to build the new museum.

Meanwhile, the public is also invited to give suggestions for the name of the attraction via the El Paso Community Foundation website.

The Vision of the El Paso children’s museum is to engage the community in "imagining great possibilities".

The group says it has strived to put the local community at the centre of the decisionmaking around the new museum. So far, more than 20 public meetings have sought input from the public.