American studio ZGF Architects has revealed designs for an angular Navy SEAL Museum on the harbourfront of San Diego, USA, meant to evoke the site and contemporary martial qualities.
The studio’s design connects the residential Lane Field Park neighbourhood with the waterfront esplanades of San Diego, California.
Its design features metallic volumes and strict geometries meant to evoke the durability of the American military branch known for special operations, according to the studio.
Design elements such as the deliberate placement of ribboned facade window reveals, perforated metal screens, and full-height atrium are other core components of the building concept. The studio said these elements will combine to create a dynamic “interplay of physical prowess and precision”.
“The sloping form reduces the building’s perceived height and respects adjacent neighbours. In plan, public uses activate the street edges, while back-of-house functions align efficiently with the existing garage,” ZGF Architects principal Josh Peacock told Dezeen.
“At the center, the atrium unifies the museum experience and becomes the heart of the building,” he added.
“In section, the visitor journey is carefully choreographed. Guests enter through a compressed threshold that opens dramatically into a 65-foot-tall atrium, where suspended artifacts create a powerful multi-level experience.”
Outside, a reflecting pool is staged to create the image of a SEAL team emerging from water.
An approach resembling a stationary gangway connects the exterior forecourt to the civic realm at Harbor Drive while serving as its main entry point.
The design proposes the placement of youth educational spaces and other public programmes along with a café in the northeast corner of the building.
Their placement highlights the “quieter” edge of its 85,000-square-foot (7,896 square metres) design, while opening onto a series of interactive spaces that trace the history of the SEAL programme to its origins in the Second World War.
“At the top floor, a roof terrace supports events and museum activities with sweeping harbor views,” Peacock continued.
“This location builds on the energy of the Embarcadero promenade, connecting to the steady foot traffic from the USS Midway Museum to the Maritime Museum.”
“Moments of discovery are created from carefully placed openings that reveal glimpses of artifacts within, connecting the museum’s internal story to the city outside.”
ZGF’s architects said it would serve as a new civic landmark and compel education efforts when completed by 2032.
Elsewhere, ZGF Architects has completed a mass-timber airport terminal for Portland, Oregon, in addition to a training facility for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and Phase One of the Amazon HQ2 facility in northern Virginia.
The studio also wrapped up its work on a new stainless steel expansion for the California Science Center in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park earlier this month.
The imagery is courtesy of ZGF Architects.
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