Santa Cruz, CA, USA

This landmark project, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History – Building Renovation & Amphitheater Design at 1305 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, is a critical effort for the museum, managed by Nielsen Studios. The scope involved the restoration and upgrade of the historic Carnegie Library structure and its non-historic additions, spanning approximately 8,000 SF with an estimated budget of $2M–$3M. The design focused on modernizing building systems, enhancing public accessibility, and integrating a fully accessible amphitheater and site circulation improvements, ultimately preserving the museum’s legacy while preparing it for future educational use.