The La Brea Tar Pits have been an unequivocal part of the Los Angeles scientific learning experience for over four decades. The Iconic urban Ice Age site is a means to inspire wonder for our natural and cultural worlds through being a unique window into active science. Visiting the historic Hancock Park museum feels like traveling to a parallel, dystopian universe - one with saber-tooth cats, dire wolves, mammoths and more, the La Brea Tar Pits is at the crossroads of principal education and entertainment.
Led by three forward thinking architect teams, each with their own point of view, the La Brea Tar Pits are set to be reimagined for the first time since its opening. The newly unveiled concepts consist of three distinct visions.
The Dorte Mandrup aims to elevate the park into an immersive learning experience. Inspired by the nostalgia the park emulates to many residents of Los Angeles, this mission aims to build on this heartfelt feeling. Through allowing the park to transform into a journey of curiosity, the park and museum will extend into one big living laboratory. Visitors will heighten their understanding of the past, present and future of our planet. The Diller Scofidio + Renfro wants visitors to feel a heightened sense of responsibility to our planet through becoming critically conscious of our human footprint. Lastly the Weiss/Manfredi’s ‘La Brea Loops and Lenses’, “redefines Hancock Park and the Page Museum as one continuous experience.” Lenses framed throughout the park and museum will create a holistic learning experience.