The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles re-opened to the public Monday, boasting a red exterior of aluminum and stainless steel and an extensive gallery of approximately 150 vehicles.
The building, located at Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue recently underwent a 14-month renovation at a cost of $90 million.
Not everyone, however, has been pleased with the building’s re-design. In the weeks leading up to the opening celebration, a host of voices have critiqued the museum’s eye-catching exterior.
“I realize I’m treating the building purely as a visual phenomenon rather than as an experience and I pray the interior redesign helps me get over my misgivings about the exterior—because it’s bad. Like, really, really bad,” wrote reporter Marissa Gluck for LA Curbed.
Kevin Roderick of L.A. Observed has written that the design is “different and kind of hideous.”
According to KPF, the New York-based architecture firm that designed the museum, the steel “ribbons” that envelop the building are intended to evoke a sense of speed and movement.
“The design offers a contemporary interpretation of the mid-century, space age “Googie” architectural style that characterizes Los Angeles,” the firm has said about the project.
