OAKLAND MUSEUM of CALIFORNIA

This renovation of the existing landmarked Oakland Museum of California aimed to connect the museum to the community.  Surrounded on all sides by tall concrete walls despite the original design being more porous, this intervention sought to invite the community into the beautiful gardens that are free to the public, and activated by lively programming on Friday nights.  New openings and a stair connect the garden to the park and walking paths by Lake Merritt.

On the other side of the museum, a new window and accessible ramp connect the cafe to the street while respecting the small amphitheater space below the ramp.  Respectful of its context, the ramp threads delicately around an existing mature oak tree, and the cafe window uses the same proportions as the opening directly below.  The materials cladding the ramp tie this phase of work to earlier phases done 10 years prior.

Project completed with Mark Cavagnero Associates and Hood Design.