California Science Center – Ecosystems

LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA
USE: MUSEUMS & SCIENCE CENTERS
SCOPE: GUEST EXPERIENCE

Guests to the new California Science Center wing, aptly named Ecosystems, will experience the critical role that lighting plays in support of the Owner’s goal of surrounding the guest with the sensations of each Ecosystem environment, eliciting an appreciation for different environments on Earth and how humans interact with them.

Gallegos Lighting worked from concept to completion designing all lighting for the interior architecture, the grand atrium, all dry and wet exhibits, and administrative offices.  Key to the success of the project was the close collaboration between Gallegos, the Science Center creative and operational staff, and project architect EHDD of San Francisco.

“As in most museum-type spaces, lighting plays a key role in how exhibits are perceived. The lighting at the California Science Center allows the guests to experience each unique environment as a new destination,” explains Gallegos Lighting managing principal Patrick Gallegos.

Nearly ten years in the making, this new permanent exhibit wing allows visitors to experience a blend of live animals and hands-on science experiments in 11 distinct environments. The 190,000 square foot expansion nearly doubles the exhibit space at the Science Center and includes two floors of administrative offices. Unique to science centers in the United States, this facility includes a 2,500 square foot desert zone with a programmed flash flood and a 188,000 gallon living kelp forest among its environs.

The science center is already the most visited museum in Southern California with 1.4 million visitors a year and is expected to grow even larger with the new expansion.