2025 West Best Projects
Best Cultural/Worship: Museum of Natural History - Commons
Museum of Natural History - Commons
Los Angeles
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by MATT Construction
Owner L.A. County Museum of Natural History Foundation
Lead Design Firm Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects
General Contractor MATT Construction
Civil Engineer KPFF Consulting Engineers
Structural Engineer John A. Martin & Associates Inc.
MEP Engineer Buro Happold Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architect Studio-MLA
Construction Manager Bottega Management Group
To transform an underutilized edge of LA’s Natural History Museum into a publicly accessible wing that connects exhibitions, research and community programming to Exposition Park, the project team structurally integrated a new 36,000-sq-ft expansion with an existing operational building as part of this three-year-long endeavor. This two-story addition and basement with flexible theater space replaced the Jean Delacour Auditorium wing. Other features include a theater gallery, café, catering kitchen and restrooms. The building features a 400-seat theater, a multipurpose event space with retractable seating and advanced AV infrastructure.
To ensure sound structural tie-in between the new and existing buildings when the original as-built drawings were limited, the contractor planned extensively with the structural engineer and architect during preconstruction. After reviewing available documentation and conducting exploratory demolition, the team developed a flexible construction sequence and a structural system that uses active braced frames.
Photo by Benny Chan
The demolition phase had to be extremely precise, especially at the tie-in points. Temporary steel supports helped ensure the existing structure’s stability, which was critical since it remained open to the public throughout construction. While uncovering structural elements, the team adapted in real time, adjusting sequences and details to avoid delays and minimize cost impacts. Weekly coordination meetings and real-time communication ensured a rapid response to unforeseen conditions as well.
The project also included 12,000 sq ft of interior renovations and nearly 25,000 sq ft of new landscape and hardscape, along with major electrical and mechanical upgrades. Crews performed limited renovations to office spaces as well as landscaping and site work on the south side of the existing building and site.
Cost and energy efficiency were integral from the beginning. NHM Commons is designed to achieve LEED Gold through a holistic improvement of the building’s systems and material selection.
A proactive and coordinated approach ensured the project’s on-time, within-budget completion in November 2024.
