Museum of Natural History – Commons

ProjectsBest Projects2025 Best of the Best Winners Museum of Natural History – Commons By Jeff Rubenstone, Deputy Editor, News and Technology Museum of Natural History – Commons The expansion and renovation of the museum’s entryway includes a broad glass facade and a new home for a signature fossil. March 13, 2026 Museum of Natural History – Commons Los Angeles, California Cultural/Worship Submitted by: MATT Construction Region: ENR West 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 When the team working on the renovation and expansion of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County had to tie a new commons area into the existing building, it took some careful planning. “During preconstruction, we performed investigative work by opening ceilings, walls, non-destructive testing, and surveying existing conditions to verify critical tie-in locations,” says Kevin Pitzer, project executive with general contractor MATT Construction. These early investigations would prove crucial later on during sequencing, allowing the design team and owner to approve changes driven by previously unknown conditions. The 36,000-sq-ft expansion with a new glass facade h...