IDPA Japan Design Award

La Brea Tar Pits Museum Expansion

by Xianlong Deng

Project Description


La Brea Tar Pits Museum Expansion
World Within the World is a project that explores the past and present of La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles relative to its context and artifacts embedded in the site. Scientists began to discover these fossils in the early 20th century and have slowly developed into the Page Museum and Hancock Park. Today, the site is situated along Miracle Mile, and adjacent to multiple new developments, including LACMA and the Academy Museum. The site of the Tar Pits is neglected and overshadowed by its neighbors. It is bounded by a disturbing fence and exhibitions are buried under the soil. The mission of our project is to unravel the magnificence of the unique geological site and open up the museum to showcase the history that is buried. Our vision for the project is to create a journey that carries people from the present to the past, which is manifested in the sequence and atmosphere of the design.

Xianlong Deng


Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Wuhan University of Technology, and obtained a Master's degree in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously worked at internationally renowned architectural design firms such as Gensler, SOM, and Genesis AEC. At Gensler, contributed to numerous large-scale architectural design projects, serving clients including Universal Studios, The Bally’s, and Vista Property, among other well-known companies and developers. Projects involved include Kinzie & Morgan mixed-use development, Grand Rapids mixed-use development, Los Angeles Universal Studios Security System planning, and Confidential Casino Hotel Design. At Genesis, contributed to laboratory and pharmaceutical factory projects, serving global pharmaceutical clients such as Merck, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson etc. Honors include the 2024 MUSE Design Awards Gold Prize, 2024 French Design Awards Silver Prize, the second prize in the 2018 "Xiao Mei Da Cheng" Peng Liu Yang Community Renewal Design Competition organized by Wuhan Urban Planning Bureau, and the Excellence Award in the 2016 Auya Design Star Tengchong Lotus Town International Student Design Competition.

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