ZGF Architects Completes Los Angeles Air and Space Center, Home to Space Shuttle Endeavour
ZGF Architects has recently completed construction on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a significant expansion of the California Science Center in Los Angeles. This new 200,000-square-foot facility is designed to nearly double the educational exhibit space, making it a pivotal destination for science enthusiasts. Its centerpiece is the iconic Space Shuttle Endeavour, now displayed in a unique vertical launch configuration, alongside numerous aerospace artifacts and interactive exhibits.
The center's construction, which began in June 2022 and concluded in April 2026, represents a monumental effort by approximately 1,500 workers from various disciplines. This new landmark not only showcases the history of space exploration but also offers an immersive and engaging experience for all visitors, fostering active learning through discovery.
Architectural Marvel Housing a Historic Icon
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, an architectural triumph by ZGF Architects, stands out in Los Angeles's Exposition Park. Unlike the traditional brickwork of the existing California Science Center, the new building's design draws inspiration from the sleek, aerodynamic forms of NASA spacecraft. This curvilinear structure, peaking at 200 feet, is clad in textured metal and stainless steel, creating a distinctive and recognizable silhouette across the cityscape. The lower portion cantilevers gracefully over the entry plaza, inviting visitors into its expansive interior.
At the heart of this innovative design is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, majestically housed within a 2,000-ton tower. This unique display, presenting the shuttle in its vertical launch position, is the first of its kind globally. The building's transparent elements and strategic viewpoints offer visitors unobstructed views of the shuttle and other significant aerospace artifacts, blending architectural artistry with the awe-inspiring reality of space exploration. The design aims to be both a landmark and a functional space, deeply integrated with its scientific mission.
A New Era of Interactive Space Exploration Education
The newly completed Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is poised to revolutionize science education with its extensive collection of 100 aerospace artifacts and an equal number of new hands-on exhibits. These interactive displays are meticulously integrated to promote active learning and discovery, making complex scientific and engineering principles accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages. The facility features three multi-level galleries: the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery, and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery, each designed to explore different facets of atmospheric flight and the universe.
A critical milestone in the center's development was the intricate process of lifting the Space Shuttle Endeavour into its full-stack vertical configuration in early 2024. This involved mating the shuttle with genuine solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified external tank, a feat that itself was a testament to engineering precision. While the building construction is complete, the crucial phase of installing and curating the historic artifacts and interactive exhibition spaces is still underway, preparing for a grand opening that promises to inspire future generations of scientists and explorers.