Los Angeles, USA, 2002-03

A globalising approach giving such an important Museum a new reason to live in the 21st century.
In 2002, the Museum organized a huge bid competition for the design and master planning of its future renewal. New York architect, Steven Holl, designed an extension to the museum.
After qualifying in a series of heats, we managed to clinch the gold medal, a few yards ahead of another determined competitor answering to the name of Schassberg Kennedy, husband of a certain Caroline…
Thus, we found ourselves in the midst of a complicated process involving the Museum curators, staff and board, trying to imagine what a 21st century natural history museum should be like in its approach to fundamental issues, both directly and metaphorically.
We submitted the Master Plan in August 2003 to Museum Board Chairperson, Jane Pisano. A few additions were made in 2005 and the new galleries will open from 2007 to 2011.