Natural History Museum – Commons
Los Angeles, California
Cultural/Cult
Sent by: Construction MATT
Region: ENR West
Owner: Natural History Museum of LA County Foundation
Main design company: Frederick Fisher and Associate Architects
General contractor: Construction MATT
Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Structural Engineer: John A. Martin & Associates Inc.
MEP Engineer: Buro Happold Consulting Engineers
Landscape architect: Study-MLA
Construction Manager: Shop Management Group
When the team working on the renovation and expansion of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County had to tie a new common area to the existing building, it took careful planning. “During pre-construction, we performed investigative work by opening ceilings, walls, non-destructive testing and examining existing conditions to verify critical connection locations,” says Kevin Pitzer, project executive for general contractor MATT Construction. These early investigations would be crucial later in sequencing, allowing the design team and owner to approve changes driven by previously unknown conditions.
The extension of 36,000 square meters with a new glass facade had to connect structurally to the existing building without major interruptions in the operations of the museum. Temporary steel supports and periodic updates of minimized impacts according to construction. “A great deal of effort went into routing new systems into the existing building to minimize downtime, accommodate spaces that house critical exhibits, and minimize disruption,” says Pitzer.
Photo by Benny Chan
In addition to the new museum entrance space, the project also included 12,000 square feet of interior renovation and 25,000 square feet of new landscaping and outdoor landscaping. The entrance serves as the “front porch” for the museum, welcoming visitors through a lobby that connects to the exhibits, as well as a 400-seat theater and café. The centerpiece of this host area is Gnatalie, a 75-foot sauropod skeleton from the Jurassic period known for its distinctive green bones.
Photo by Benny Chan
Given the complexity of keeping the museum open while working on the new common area, Pitzer says the effort was kept on track thanks to a collaborative approach taken not only with museum staff but among the entire project team.
“Communication was key to eliminating surprises and keeping all parties informed ahead of the job so they could plan accordingly and maintain a positive visitor experience.”
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