The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park has plans to substantially expand. The proposed renovation of the West Wing celebrates the centennial of the museum in 2026.
A physical model of an early design concept for this new West Wing extension can be viewed today inside the museum. The design was conceived by the prestigious international architectural firm Foster + Partners, and the model is part of an exhibition that shows their other work around the world.
I got a look at the model yesterday and took some photos so you might visualize how Balboa Park might appear in the future. Obviously, this is important to everyone in San Diego.
Like other Foster + Partners projects, the design will create an experience that is spacious and full of natural light. The proposed expansion will add 37,000 square feet of gallery space, including an immersive digital space. There will also be a community engagement pavilion that will provide interactive space for artists and visitors alike.
As you can see, this large expansion will replace today’s sculpture court and garden.
Personally, I’m not really sure what to think of it.
I like the general idea, but how will this new structure fit in with the surrounding, entirely different Spanish Colonial Revival architecture? It will stand across Plaza de Panama from the much smaller Timken Museum, which also has a more sleek, modern appearance, perhaps creating a visual counter-balance.
The very first thing that struck me is how small the historic San Diego Museum of Art appears beside their wide, taller expansion. No other buildings are shown in the model such as the nearby House of Charm, but I imagine it, too, will appear small in comparison.
My main concern is how this fairly tall new structure might obscure or partially obscure views of Balboa Park’s iconic California Tower, which is arguably the most beloved sight in all of San Diego. The expansion will almost certainly hide the California Tower from people who are in the north part of the Plaza de Panama.
It also appears the design work at the sculpture court and garden by renowned modernist Malcolm Leland will disappear. You can see photographs of that in one of my past blog posts by clicking here.
Well, what do you think?
If you visit the model in the museum, there’s a nearby video that helps you better visualize how this expansion will appear, and an opportunity to leave your own comment.
Here’s a photo I took a few years ago from a short distance up El Prado. You can see the present-day sculpture court with its columns and banners to the right of the California Building’s dome.
The proposed expansion, to my eye, appears to be about three times the height of the sculpture court. So imagine that. The California Tower should remain visible down El Prado, fortunately.
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Looks like a monstrosity to me, and then if it blocks the view of the California Tower, ugh. I don’t know what is worse, this or taking down Seaport Village. You have to wonder if “they” ever spend time at these places.
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I worry that because of its size it will overshadow the surrounding buildings and their wonderful architecture. I think I’d be okay with it if it weren’t so tall.
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Besides the scale, I don’t care for the design either. The building that’s there is bad enough, in that it’s such a a different style, but I have come to love it. This building is just too flat and open. Really doesn’t fit and it’s not interesting at all. Maybe build something like that down by the Starlight Bowl.
It looks like they’re going to take out the arches and walkway that’s currently there. If they do, that’s really going to ruin the views and feel of that area.
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Richard, last month we visited the museum and we’re surprised to see the model of the planned expansion. Like yourself we have questions about how it will fit in to the park. Frankly, I was impressed by the new structure, but as you’ve mentioned, does it fit in with the Spanish colonial architecture of the park and will it obstruct views of the tower. we were at an old Globe production on Sunday “, highly recommended by the way, and enjoyed the view of the tower and the sculpture garden. We are open minded and slightly positive about the idea and architecture, but I expect that we will hear a lot of contradictory opinions in the future. Once again, thank you for your work. I can see by your posts that you put together the “Cool San Diego“ posts daily. It is a gift to those who want to see the beauty of our city.
Sincerely,
Dana and Donna Law
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I’m thinking perhaps if it weren’t so tall it might fit in better. People love the architecture along El Prado, and this quite large structure might be just too much, dominating everything else.
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thank you for your reply, Richard. Yes if it were Smollar, it might not overshadow the Avenue.
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I’m all for enlarging the SDMA, but… yikes! It seems to be an overwhelming conglomeration of all the hopes and wishes of the design committee. Maybe they can’t have everything they want.
I have no idea what is behind the current building, but wouldn’t it be nice if the enlargement could go there instead? That way, we’d keep the front-facing architectural style of the original building (and views of the California Tower) while adding much-needed space for collections and interactive areas.
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Overwhelming is the right word! There’s a driveway to the Old Globe behind the museum and then a drop off into a canyon, plus a loading dock with a bit of useful area.
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