The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles, an impressive four-year architectural endeavor by ZGF Architects and MATT Construction, has successfully completed its construction phase. This significant expansion of the California Science Center is poised to become a global attraction, distinguished by its unique display of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in a vertical launch position. This monumental project, encompassing 200,000 square feet, will dramatically enhance the center's exhibition capacity, providing an enriching and accessible experience for all visitors.
Architectural Vision and Unique Design
ZGF Architects' recently finished structure in Los Angeles proudly showcases a full-scale space shuttle, poised as if for launch, encased within a striking stainless steel cylindrical tower. This 200-foot-tall curvilinear landmark forms a pivotal part of the California Science Center's expansion, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The project, meticulously crafted over four years, stands as a testament to innovative architectural design, offering an unparalleled display of aerospace history and technological marvel. Its distinct identity and impressive scale are set to captivate visitors and reinforce its role as a premier destination for science and space enthusiasts.
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, an expansion of the California Science Center, exhibits a unique architectural character, distinct from the main building's sandy red brick cladding. This 200,000-square-foot addition dramatically doubles the entire complex's exhibition space across four levels. While the building's shell is complete, the interior awaits the installation of numerous historical artifacts and interactive exhibits, including a fighter jet, in anticipation of its grand opening. The center's centerpiece is the retired NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour, now standing vertically within a 2,000-tonne tower. The structure's lower section features textured metal tiers, gracefully cantilevering over the main entrance, creating an immersive and welcoming atmosphere. Ted Hyman, a ZGF partner, expressed immense pride in delivering an iconic architectural design that transforms the California Science Center's ambitious vision into an engaging experience for all visitors.
The Iconic Space Shuttle Endeavour Display
The core attraction of the new center is the retired NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour, famously displayed in an upright launch configuration. This meticulous installation, a process that spanned six months, saw the shuttle integrated with genuine solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the final flight-qualified external tank, before being settled into its permanent home. The expansion's curvilinear and stacked design meticulously echoes the aerodynamic grace of the shuttle, creating a cohesive and inspiring aesthetic. Once fully operational, the Air and Space Center will house a remarkable collection of 100 aerospace artifacts, presented across three distinct galleries, including a Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4 fighter jet and a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle.
A six-month installation process culminated in the Space Shuttle Endeavour being positioned in its full-stack vertical configuration, complete with real solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified external tank, within its permanent home in early 2024. The expansion's design, characterized by its stacked, curvilinear form, draws inspiration from the shuttle's aerodynamic and fluid geometry. The Air and Space Center is slated to feature 100 new exhibits showcasing an array of aerospace artifacts across three main galleries. These include notable items such as the Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4 fighter jet, the Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle, and a Solid Rocket Booster segment. While the project is nearing completion, an official opening date has yet to be announced, building anticipation for this monumental addition to Los Angeles's cultural landscape. This endeavor joins other significant projects recently completed or nearing completion in Los Angeles, such as Peter Zumthor's Los Angeles County Museum of Art expansion and MAD's Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.