Auto-Muse

Design of Re-organization and Re-branding of the San Diego Automobile Museum  

Design Consultant  |  2007 Completion of phase 1 (store)  |  Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

This Museum desperately needed to reorganize their automobile, motorcycle and memorabilia collections while also rebranding their lackluster image. Long-term planning for remodel, modernization and addition was commissioned. We proposed a new name; AUTO-MUSE, new signage, new landscape, a new entrance door, a flexible but clear reorganization of the automobile display and the addition of a mezzanine to house their large but cramped motorcycle collection. The first phase included only the gift shop and was built with very limited funds. Giving more clarity & order to the entrance sequence, a new linear entrance experience was created. Upon entering the Museum, the visitor is greeted by a double height space with projection screen to display current show videos. The merchandise is displayed on one side in luminous translucent acrylic wall with niches and, on the other, a birch plywood display and storage wall. The ceiling is painted black and lighting and vents are placed rhythmically to emphasize movement.

Hector M Perez

in collaboration with Ralph Roesling
Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects (RNT)