New “Flexible & Functional” Orange County Museum of Art in Southern California

Designed by Morphosis architects, the new orange county museum of art (OCMA) is designed to be a both a cultural center for the arts from permanent collections of important works and temporary exhibitions to performance arts and public events.

The space was designed to be “both flexible and functional, as well as inviting and memorable.”

Spanning 52,000 square feet, OCMA will expand the Segerstrom Center for the Art attracting new visitors and opening new opportunities for artists and performers.

Sculptural and inviting, the building features undulating bands of metal paneling aligning the exterior with glazing in a white wash finish brightening the space. An open-air interior allows for natural light to stream in and throughout the main floor, mezzanine and other areas of the museum. The open-air spaces are configurable and designed for a sculpture garden, installations, outdoor film screenings and events.

The lobby atrium features a lecture hall for educational events with a full-height window overlooking the terrace. The roof terrace is dedicated to dynamic gatherings and public events.

A large outdoor public staircase is designed for current museum visitors and pedestrians to gather and cross paths, as an invitation to the museum and adjacent performing arts venues.

The Orange County Museum of Arts (OCMA) is nearing completion by 2019 and will plan to open it’s doors to the public by 2021.