Water + Life Museums celebrate the link between Southern California’s
water infrastructure and the evolution of life, stressing how that link
is critical to developing the resource stewardship required of a
sustainable society. Sustainable energy systems—-including a 3,000-PV
array-—as well as materials and methods were employed. The building
expects a LEED Platinum rating. The museums pose a striking profile of
metal and glass at the eastern entrance to Diamond Valley Lake. Drawing
from the bold imagery of turbines and generators, the modern design is
in the tradition of the monumental, honorific architecture of the
Metropolitan Water District, which administers the water infrastructure
and gave the land for the project. Steel-clad monoliths blaze across
each façade, contrasting with the desert skyline. Translucent banners
printed with pixilated images hang across 10,000 square feet of
east-facing glass. Latticed loggias give a dramatic processional feeling
through filtered light.
Click on thumbnails to open windows with larger images
and to view image title