Huff + Gooden and HGA to Lead $67.3 Million Expansion of the California African American Museum
Torrance, CA – October 31, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Huff + Gooden Architects have been selected as lead design architects and HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) as the executive architect for the expansion and renovation of the California African American Museum (CAAM), located in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park. The $67.3 million project will include 77,000 square feet of new construction, as well as a renovation of 26,000 square feet of the existing museum. The project has completed the design phase and is awaiting funding for future phases of work.
As the lead design architect, Huff + Gooden is in charge of the architectural design and managing the design process throughout all project phases. In addition to serving as the executive architect, HGA will handle museum planning, project management, construction documents and construction administration. Huff + Gooden Architects will lead the architectural design through all project phases.
A key feature of the design is the “Word Wall,” an exterior backlit translucent glass scrim wall of digital text that wraps the building masses to establish a dialog between the building, its site and the city, reflecting African American and human experiences.
“The expansion will help provide a higher level of visibility for CAAM within Exposition Park,” said James Matson, AIA, vice president and director of HGA’s Los Angeles office. “At the same time, the renovation will preserve the design legacy of the original African American architect.”
The ongoing development of CAAM will be based on the previously completed feasibility study prepared by Huff + Gooden and HGA that examined expansion methods to help accommodate current and future needs for educational programming space; museum store and café; a black box lecture and theater space; and new and renovated galleries for history and art associated with CAAM’s permanent collection and traveling exhibits.
Exposition Park also is home to the California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Ray Huff and Mario Gooden are leading the design efforts for the project team. Joining Matson, the project manager, on HGA’s team are Michael F. Ross, FAIA, Principal; Gary Reetz, Fine Arts Specialist; and Jason Linn, Project Coordinator. The team will work with Charmaine Jefferson, Executive Director of CAAM, and Dianna C. Brown, Project Director for the Department of General Services, Real Estate Services Division, Project Management Branch to implement the design.
Additional consultants include Englekirk & Sabol, structural engineer; IBE Consulting Engineers, MEP; KPFF, civil engineer; and Hood Design with Katherine Spitz Associates, landscape architects.
About HGA Architects and Engineers:
HGA is an integrated architecture, engineering and planning firm that helps prepare its clients for the future. The nationally recognized firm has developed expertise in the arts, community, higher education, healthcare, corporate, and science/technology industries since 1953. Visit www.HGA.com.
About HUFF + GOODEN ARCHITECTS:
Ray Huff and Mario Gooden formed Huff + Gooden Architect as a practice dedicated to the design and exploration of architecture and its relationship to culture and knowledge. The firm has offices in New York and Charleston, South Carolina. Visit www. huffgooden.com
About the California African American Museum:
The California African American Museum (CAAM) researches, collects, preserves and interprets for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans. more information on the California African American Museum visit www.caamuseum.org.
