Architecture

Enjoy open spaces and spectacular views at the Getty Center

Buildings with a sunset in the background

A Los Angeles Landmark

The urban and natural elements of Los Angeles inspired architect Richard Meier to design a campus that highlights both nature and culture. Enjoy modern design, beautiful gardens, open spaces, and dramatic views of the city.

Location

The Getty Center sits on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, offering visitors panoramic views of Los Angeles, from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel Mountains and across the vast street-grid of the city.

Materials

A computer-operated tram takes visitors from the street-level parking structure to the top of the hill, where they emerge on to a campus covered in Italian travertine and organized around a central arrival plaza. Curved design elements and multiple gardens soften the grid pattern created by the travertine squares.

The stone—1.2 million square feet of it—is one of the most remarkable elements of the complex. Highly textured and ranging in color from light beige to honey, the travertine catches the bright Southern California light, which reflects sharply during morning hours, but emits warmth in the afternoon. The 16,000 tons of travertine are from Bagni di Tivoli, Italy, 15 miles east of Rome.

Architect Richard Meier chose stone for this project because it has been historically associated with public architecture and expresses qualities the Getty Center celebrates: permanence, solidity, simplicity, warmth, and craftsmanship.

Light

Natural light is one of the Getty Center's most important architectural elements. The many exterior walls of glass allow sunshine to illuminate the interiors. A computer-assisted system of louvers and shades adjusts the light indoors. The paintings galleries on the upper level of the North, South, East, and West Pavilions are all naturally lit, with special filters to prevent damage to the artworks.

Library, Offices, and Additional Galleries

The circular building to the west of the Central Garden houses the Getty Research Institute, used primarily by Getty scholars, staff, and visiting researchers. The circular form evokes the cycle of research and scholarship. Inside, curved ramps and corridors create rounded paths meant to promote interaction among the scholars and staff. On the lowest level, a skylight sheds light into a reading room. On the plaza level, exhibition galleries host exhibitions of materials from the Research Institute's special collections focused on art history, architecture, and related fields.

Two buildings to the north and east of the Tram Arrival Plaza house the Getty Foundation, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the J. Paul Getty Trust administration offices. Sunken gardens, terraces, glass walls, and open floor plans provide fluid movement between indoor and outdoor space, and views of Los Angeles for Getty staff.

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