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Rendering of a modern museum building surrounded by greenery bustling with people
La Sierra University – New Museum and Visitor Center

Oasis: A Museum in the Landscape

Project Location

Riverside, CA

Client

La Sierra University

Area

40,000 SF

Services

Architecture, interiors, planning, exhibit coordination, programming, and structural design

La Sierra University maintains world-renowned collections of archeology and natural history but the facilities that house these collections are aging and not conducive to public display. The University envisioned a new museum to celebrate these collections at the front of campus and as a connection to research and the community paired with new student amenity spaces such as a cafe and student lounge. Our design is inspired by the concept of an oasis and organized to act as a beacon to connect campus and community while fostering curiosity for new audiences and embodying nature.

The building is designed around the flow of the landscape and the natural water flowing through the site. While the building is deeply embedded into the earth, upper areas are lighter and more delicate in structure to shine as a beacon, welcoming visitors to this new iconic destination at La Sierra University. The twin museum wings connect by a bridge that doubles as a flexible lounge and overflow gallery space. The shaded outdoor spaces and adjacent cafe will draw students, faculty, and visitors alike and grow a new social heart of campus.

The program includes multiple gallery spaces with research and collections support including a temporary gallery, Stahl Gallery for Social Justice, Center for Near Eastern Archeology Gallery, and the World Museum of Natural History Gallery. Outside of the galleries are an auditorium, museum offices, café, small amphitheater, field office for educational workshops, student lounge, and research library. The design is targeted to align with DLR Group’s 2030 commitment to sustainability with a high-performance building envelope and energy reducing strategies. The target EUI for the project is 10 kBtu/sq/yr.

Gateway to Campus

The La Sierra University campus is a tapestry of beautiful outdoor garden rooms connecting humble midcentury buildings through layers of dappled light, fountains, and lush landscapes all within a nationally registered arboretum. The gateway to the campus and to this landscape will be the new Museum and Visitor Center to orient prospective students, showcase research and collections, and provide current students with amenity spaces for study and reflection.



01
Oasis

Connected Yet Tranquil

The Museum is first considered as an Oasis.

 

The Oasis offers a connected yet tranquil experience throughout. Sweeping pathways and carved interior courtyard walls lead visitors throughout the site in an approachable manner. The two wings of the building create cascading courtyards with adjacent oasis landscape spaces. Certain moments connect, and others offer peaceful reflection. The lower building walls have a heaviness that expresses stone and the earth. At the same time, the upper structure is delicate and light, clearing the views of the flourishing desert Cienega below.

02
Landscape Design

Connected to the Earth

Our approach to landscape design draws on the natural plant communities of the region and augments with plants adapted to the climate.

 

The building is organized around the flow of the landscape and the natural water flowing through the site. While the building is deeply embedded into the earth, areas within the building shine as a beacon, welcoming visitors to this new iconic destination at La Sierra University.

Large second story lounge with large windows and green couches bustling with people
03
Plant Palette

Rich Abundance of Plant Life

The shaded outdoor space, amphitheater seating, and adjacent cafe will draw students, faculty, and visitors alike and grow a new social heart of campus directly off the pedestrian thoroughfare Heritage Way. The abundant plant life softens the terrace and connects with the lush oasis to the east. The visual connections to the multiple gallery environments will spark interest and expand the museum’s audience.

Outdoor courtyard of a modern building with lush greenery bustling with people
04
Materiality

Inspired by the Earth

The use of stone gives a raw quality that is of the Earth. The stone interior begins at the lowest level, and as the material rises throughout the building, its texture smooths to a honed finish.

 

Plaster wall finishes add movement and depth throughout the interior, distinguishing between crisp gallery walls and the textured non-gallery environments. Warm wood tones appear above grade, softening the transition from the heavily textured lower level to the delicately treated upper level that floats above the oasis. The exterior materials have a natural quality that blends seamlessly into the site to blue the boundary from oasis to building.

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