CO Architects has undertaken multiple restoration, renovation and modernization projects for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, resulting in an institution-wide transformation of the museum for its 2013 Centennial. The 1913 & 1928 Building Modernizations restored the building exterior to its original appearance and rehabilitated its structure and interior spaces, including exhibition spaces, library and rare book collection space, collections labs and storage, and offices for the museum staff.
The re-imagination and expansion of the North Campus includes a re-designed glass entrance pavilion featuring a fin whale skeleton, a pedestrian bridge, terraces and communal areas, museum shop and ticket office, new two-level car park and ticket booth, and 3.5 acres of recovered green space with gardens and learning environments.
“Completing a major renovation of a large public museum listed on the National Historic Registry requires innovative planning, creative problem solving, and a keen responsiveness to unforeseeable conditions. CO Architects has brought all this and more … ”
Don Webb, Owner’s Representative, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Project Name
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Size
285,000 GSF
Completion Date
2013
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Services
Master Planning
Programming
Architecture
Client
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Awards
- Los Angeles Conservancy, 2011 Preservation Award
- California Preservation Foundation, 2009 Rehabilitation Award, Large Projects
- ENR California, 2013 Best Projects Award of Merit
- Los Angeles Business Journal, 2014 Commercial Real Estate Awards: Best Public Project
- Los Angeles Business Council, 2009 Los Angeles Architectural Award
