Portfolio
Firm
Services
Contact

LASM Planetarium & Space Theatre

A partnership with Haizlip Studio

Museum renovation and expansion to circa 1925 building with planetarium addition
LASMPlanetarium_Img1
This design of the Tipton/Haizlip team renovates a 1920s train station turned museum into an enhanced museum with Planetarium addition. The design solution seamlessly extends the historic building and communicates the engaging nature of its internal functions within significant site constraints including a restricted triangular shaped construction site with perimeter edges defined by an active railroad, state highway and levee to the east.
LASMPlanetarium_Img2
This collaboration included city, state, museum, and private sector contributors who teamed in this effort to improve science education and advance the city’s civic amenities. The transparent upper level affords balcony visitors a scenic view of the Mississippi River.
LASMPlanetarium_Img3
Formerly an outdoor sculpture garden, this gallery functions as a connecting lobby between the art and science sections of the museum. The space showcases panoramic views of the Mississippi River.
LASMPlanetarium_Img4
The exhibit gallery provides hands-on, interactive educational exhibits for children and adults in the Baton Rouge and surrounding communities, while concealing building and theatre equipment & structural components.
LASMPlanetarium_Img5
The space theatre provides stadium style seating and tilted projection dome, designed to withstand the vibrations of the active railroad track below.
LASMPlanetarium_Img6
The planet tower was designed as a glass “exclamation point” to illustrate visual excitement, peaking the interest of on-lookers and reinforcing a new landmark for downtown Baton Rouge.
LASMPlanetarium_Img7
A circulation stairway in the planet tower “orbits” the suspended planets allowing visitors to gain a sense of the planets’ scale and proportion.

As a first step in the master plan for revitalizing downtown Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Arts and Science Center proposed a replacement facility for the old planetarium to be located adjacent to the existing LASC Museum on River Road. Surpassing expectations, this project added approximately 14,000 gsf of new exhibit space and a new multipurpose Planetarium and Space Theater. An additional 10,000 gsf of existing sculpture galleries and classroom space were renovated and modernized. This was accomplished while complementing the historic nature and architectural significance of the pre-existing building.

Our goals included a space that functionally and visually marries the existing museum and new planetarium, a theatre accommodating new technologies, and architecture that invites passers-by. The architects found creative and attractive solutions. In two weeks, we served 13,000 visitors in stimulating, yet soothing elegant environments.

- Carol Gikas

Executive Director

Recognition 2003 AIA Baton Rouge Rose Design Award Recipient
2003 Good Growth Award
Louisiana Contractor's Best of 2003 Award of Excellence
2004 AIA Tennessee Award of Merit
The Advocate, “Good Heavens!” (Cover Story of the “Fun Section,” May 23, 2003)
ARCHI TECH Magazine (March/April 2003)
Business Report, “Heavenly Sight” (Cover Story, November 21, 2000)

Twenty years later, the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium is still out of this world

22 May 2023

LocationBaton Rouge, LA

Area24,000 sf

Construction Cost$5.2 million

Tipton Associates

Architecture Planning Interiors

449 Westmoreland Drive
Baton Rouge Louisiana 70806
Find us on Google Maps

225.387.0101 Office
225.387.0104 Fax

Linkedin

Recent News

© 2006–20 Tipton Associates. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy | Site Map