California Science Center completes expansion housing Endeavour space shuttle
The California Science Center has completed construction of the $450 million Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.
Designed by ZGF Architects, the 200,000-square-foot expansion will provide a permanent home for NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour.
Work on the California Science Center's new building, which will nearly double its exhibit space, started in June 2022.
The expansion was built by Matt Construction and engineered by Arup.
“At the outset of this project we challenged ourselves to achieve something that has never been done before: to design the only place in the world for the public to see a space shuttle in launch position,” said Ted Hyman, ZGF partner.
The development was "truly a project of passion for everyone involved", said Steven Matt, chairman of Matt Construction.
"From our leadership team to the skilled tradespeople on site, there was an extraordinary sense of pride in delivering this historic project," he added.
$450m air and space centre
With construction finished, the installation of historic artefacts and interactive exhibits is well underway and will continue for several months before an opening date is announced.
When it debuts, the Air and Space Center will showcase a collection of 100 aerospace artefacts as well as 100 new hands-on exhibits across three major multi-level galleries.
A home for Endeavour, the centre will be the only place in the world to see an authentic space shuttle system exhibited as if "ready-for-launch" in a vertical display.
"This amazing project significantly expands our ability to accomplish our mission, to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone, on a scale and with an impact unlike anything in our history," said Jeffrey Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center.
"It is the culmination of our ambitious three-decade master plan."
He added: "The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will stand as an enduring source of inspiration for generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers – and we cannot wait to share it with the world."
Images courtesy of the California Science Center
