The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles created a new Welcome Center to expand its primary audience of families with young children to include a broader demographic and the Latinx population. The design process prioritized community engagement as an active and ongoing part of a holistic reexamination of the collections and other resources. The new Welcome Center supports an ecologically responsible narrative with artifacts, comfy seating, and easily accessible information and ticketing. The sheer scale of the room necessitated a second layer of materiality texture into the character of the space by introducing natural materials and enhancing views to the outside.
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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Exhibition Interior Design (Built)
Firm
Studio Joseph
Architect/Designer
Wendy Joseph
Design Team
Wendy Evans Joseph, Monica Coghlan, Ksenia Dynkin, Sophie Nichols, Shuo Yang, Wonwoo Park, Ruben Gomez, Shriya Sanil
Location
Los Angeles, California
Country
United States
Photographer/Copyright
©Benny Chan
Website
http://www.studiojoseph.com
Instagram
N/A
Facebook
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Whatsapp
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Design Strategy
The design strategy began with the insertion of a large, parametric design composed of oak “fins” that undulate dynamically along its length. Between the 1.5-inch blades, we cover the tiered surface with different colors and textures of cork. Together they form horizontal striations that create the illusion of geological strata. This array is sculptural, both metaphorically reflecting the dinosaur’s ribs and strategically creating an armature that incorporates a community gallery. There is a series of vitrines that house changing installations populated by locally sourced materials. The didactic information, specimens, and graphics are easily changed so that the museum can work with different themes over time. This helps form bonds with underserved neighborhoods.
By the entry, a large topographic platform supports a 75-foot-long sauropod. It is articulated in horizontal levels that continue the ribbed oak structural vocabulary. “Gnatalie” is affectionately nicknamed for the stinging gnats that pestered archeologists excavating in a Utah marsh. Her head rises to meet visitors at the door—one of the most complete sauropod skeletons—and the only green-colored fossil specimen on the planet. “Gnatalie” is surrounded by media, touchable objects, and easily digestible materials. Although her stance is dynamic, it is a result of careful study, including an elaborate structural foundation of adjustable piers that support her legs, and above the tail and head hang from cables to the ceiling structure.
The south wall features a majestic mural that depicts the history of LA, highlighting its ever-changing cultural challenges as the Latinx diaspora, native peoples, and others find their place within this complex society. Barbara Carrasco’s landmark 80-foot mural, LA History: A Mexican Perspective, portrays the city’s history with a series of vignettes woven into the flowing hair of la Reina de Los Ángeles. Again, didactic information and media-driven interaction helped visitors unpack the stories. An oak rail that gives way to a glass protection integrates media and storytelling.
Community and learning The use of comfortable furniture and large rugs throughout the space helps create a warm and welcoming experience for the visitors, allowing families to congregate. The museum helps foster revolutionary community partnerships, innovative STEAM pathways, transformative community science programs, and cutting-edge research related to climate change. In creating this new entry, with its free programming, they are now able to think differently about engagement and adjust course to attract the full diversity of its residents.
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