The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center by ZGF is a 200,000-square-foot expansion of the California Science Center in Los Angeles, designed to house Space Shuttle Endeavour in a full vertical launch configuration. The building features a 20-storey, column-free interior reaching approximately 200 feet in height, allowing unobstructed views of the complete shuttle system including orbiter, boosters, and external tank. Its curvilinear stainless steel exterior references the aerodynamic form of the shuttle, establishing a distinct identity within Exposition Park.
The centre is organised into three multi-level galleries focused on aviation, space exploration, and the shuttle program, integrating around 100 aerospace artifacts with interactive exhibits. The structure nearly doubles the museum’s exhibition space and forms the final phase of a long-term master plan. With construction now complete, installation of exhibits is underway ahead of a public opening.
Shuttle Display Museums
Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center by Zgf Has a Vertical Shuttle Stack
Trend Themes
1. Vertical Museum Architecture - A 20‑storey, column‑free interior creates a new typology for exhibiting tall artifacts in their operational orientation, expanding possibilities for narrative scale and spatial drama.
2. Immersive Artifact Display - Full launch‑configuration presentations of vehicles alongside interactive galleries produce deeply contextualized experiences that blur the line between preservation and live demonstration.
3. Aerodynamic Facade Identity - Curvilinear stainless‑steel exteriors that reference exhibited objects create strong site branding and opportunities for buildings to function as cultural landmarks.
Industry Implications
1. Museum Design and Exhibition - Expanded vertical volumes and integrated multi‑level galleries enable reinterpretation of exhibit sequencing and storytelling techniques for large‑scale collections.
2. Aerospace Heritage Tourism - Hosting a shuttle in launch posture positions institutions to attract destination audiences interested in experiential, education‑driven travel tied to aerospace history.
3. Structural Engineering for Tall Interiors - Column‑free, high‑rise exhibition spaces prompt innovations in structural systems and service integration to accommodate heavy, suspended artifacts and public circulation.