Petersen Automotive Museum

​MATT Construction is beginning an iconic renovation of the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard this month.  Last year the Petersen unveiled its plans for a sculptured metal exterior and cutting-edge interior, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.  The project will include a complete exterior transformation and a dynamic redesign of the interior, resulting in a world class museum that will showcase the art, experience, culture and heritage of the automobile.   Local firm, House & Robertson Architects, will serve as executive architect for the project.

“We have always loved the Petersen Museum, and are thrilled to play a role in its dynamic evolution,” said Steve Matt, CEO of MATT Construction.  “They’ve picked a world class design team, and we’re looking forward to a dynamic collaboration with the architects and the museum.”

The exterior architecture will make The Petersen one of the most significant and unforgettable structures in Los Angeles.  Long ribbons of stainless steel will wrap around three sides and over the top of the deep red building, making a visceral statement that evokes the imagery of speed and the organic curves of a coach-built automobile.  At night, the color and forms will be lit from within to accentuate the steel sculpture and act as a beacon in the neighborhood known as The Miracle Mile.

The transformation will extend to the museum’s interior as well, with a proposed additional 15,000 square feet of display space. Redesigned galleries will feature state-of-the-art lighting, digital displays and immersive learning stations that will tell the stories of the people and machines that changed the world over the past century.

The team is currently heavily engaged in Preconstruction.  Interior construction is expected to commence before the end of the year, with the project completion targeted in 2015.