Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, the Skirball Cultural Center is a dynamic Jewish cultural institution that opened its first phase to the public in 1996. Its mission is to explore the connections between four thousand years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals. Moshe Safdie’s first cultural project in the U.S., the Skirball has been built in four phases over a thirty-year period. Safdie designed the entire campus: a rare instance of an architect overseeing multiple expansions of an initial design.
Showcasing the beauty of the southern California landscape and utilizing a serene materials palette that recalls ancient Jewish traditions, the campus spans 15 acres and is comprised of a community of gardens, courtyards, pavilions, and buildings of white concrete, pink stone, stainless steel, and glass. Buildings and facilities include the Skirball Museum; an archaeology discovery center; a 350- seat auditorium; an amphitheater; a great hall for performing arts and social events; facilities for classes, meetings, and conferences; garden spaces; and the Noah’s Ark at the SkirballTM galleries, a destination for children and families.
The final phase of the Skirball’s expansion will be completed in October 2013 with the opening of Herscher Hall and Guerin Pavilion on the north side of the campus, creating new multipurpose spaces that accommodate the growing public demand for the institution’s facilities and programmatic resources. The new 80,000-square-foot complex will include classrooms, conference spaces, gardens, and a grand hall accommodating up to 1,200. Reflecting the Skirball’s mission to bring individuals, families, and communities together, the new buildings will significantly expand the institution’s ability to host large-scale gatherings, such as conferences, symposia, galas, performances, classes, and social events.

Architect:
Total Square Footage: Principal Spaces:
495,000 s.f. of programmatic space, 540,600 s.f. parking
Skirball Museum Main Building
Main Courtyard Arroyo Garden Ahmanson Hall
North Parking Garage Amphitheater Winnick Hall
Herscher Hall
Guerin Pavilion
East Parking Structure
White cast-in-place architectural concrete. Pink Tadoussac granite
General Contractor
Phase 1: C.L. Peck/Jones Brothers Construction Corporation Phases 2 – 4: MATT Construction Corporation
Structural Engineer
Phase 1: Albert C. Martin & Associates Phases 2 – 4: Nabih Youseff and Associates
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer Phase 1: Albert C. Martin & Associates Phases 2 -3: Syska and Hennessy, Inc. Phase 4: IBE Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineer
Phase 1: Engineering Technology Inc. Phases 2 – 4: Sukow Engineering
Geotechnical Engineer
Phases 1 – 2: Law/Crandall, Inc. / Shannon & Wilson, Inc Phases 3 – 4: Van Beveren & Butelo, Inc.
Landscape Architect
Phase 1: Emmet L. Wemple and Associates/Ron Lovinger Phases 2 – 3: Isabelle Greene and Associates (with Ron Lovinger) Phase 4: PWP Landscape Architecture
Lighting
Phase 1: Fisher Marantz Renfro Stone Phases 2 – 4: Lam Partners, Inc.
Acoustics
Phase 1: Paul S. Veneklasen and Associates Phases 2 – 3: Ove Arup and Partners
Phase 4: Acentech, Inc.
Audiovisual and Information Transport Systems Phase 1: Nova Systems
Phases 2 – 3: Syska/Nova Systems
Phase 4: Acentech, Inc. Security
Phase 1: Chapman-Ducibella Associates
Phases 2 – 3: Ducibella, Venter, and Santore and Associates Phase 4: Nova Systems Inc.
Exhibit Design
Phase 1: Jean Jacques André Consultants, Ltd. Phase 3: Olson Kundig Architects
Materials: Consultants:
2
Phase 1 Program:
Square Footage: Construction Dates: Opening Date: Phase II
Program:
Square Footage: Construction Dates: Opening Date: Phase III
Program:
Square Footage: Construction Dates: Opening Date: Phase IV
Program:
Square Footage: Construction Dates:
Opening Date:
Skirball Museum (permanent and temporary exhibit galleries)
Main Building (main entrance and lobby, archaeology discovery center, 350-seat auditorium, conference center, classrooms, offices, cafe, museum store)
Main courtyard
Arroyo Garden
254,600 sq. ft. 1990 – 1995 April 1996
Ahmanson Hall (multi-purpose facility including auditorium/ballroom) North Parking Garage (380-vehicle, below-grade structure)
366,800 sq. ft. (including 275,000, sq. ft. parking structure) 1998 – 2000
April 2001
Amphitheater (300-seat outdoor performance space) Winnick Hall (gallery space, classrooms, offices, art studio) Arroyo garden
234,700 sq. ft. 2001 - 2004 September 2004
Herscher Hall (entrance lobby, pre-function space, classrooms)
Guerin Pavilion (banquet hall and support facilities)
East Parking Structure (500-vehicle, above- and below-grade structure)
180,000 sq. ft.
2005 – 2008 (East Parking Structure)
2007 – 2013 (Herscher Hall and Guerin Pavilion)