The Palm Springs Air Museum recently broke ground on its new 9,200 square foot addition and renovation.

Led by national architecture firm HED, and in collaboration with Cioffi Architect, the expansion includes two new building additions along with functional improvements and aesthetic enhancements. Highlights include:

• Enlarged areas for queuing and ticketing to improve flow
• Façade inspired by wind turbines and Palm Springs’ iconic Midcentury Modern design
• Protection of the museum historical archives

HED, in collaboration with Cioffi Architect, proudly celebrated the groundbreaking of the significant expansion of the Palm Springs Air Museum. This monumental project marks a transformative phase for the museum, evolving it from a beloved local attraction to a premier destination dedicated to preserving and educating the public on the crucial role air power has played in maintaining the American way of life since World War II.

HED created the design concept for the expansion, while Cioffi Architect serves as the Architect of Record, ensuring the project’s successful execution. The expansion includes two new building additions: a multi-purpose room and a gift shop with corporate offices, significantly enhancing the museum’s offerings and visitor experience.

Palm Springs Air Museum Rendering

The design focuses on functional improvements and aesthetic enhancements. The enlarged areas for queuing and ticketing will facilitate better pedestrian flow and a more comfortable experience for visitors. The facade design, inspired by the blades of a turbine engine, incorporates elements of Palm Springs’ iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture. This modern facade not only provides an aesthetic upgrade but also serves a practical purpose by shielding and protecting the museum’s historical archives within their appropriate war-era hangar environments.

“The expansion of the Palm Springs Air Museum is a testament to our commitment to creating spaces that are functional, compelling, and create a positive impact for the client and surrounding community,” said Dan Ringler, Sector Leader at HED. “We are honored to contribute to a project that preserves such an important part of our history and enhances the educational experience for all visitors.”

The Palm Springs Air Museum’s transformation aims to elevate its status to a first-class destination, attracting aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and tourists from around the world. With the new Ronald M. Auen Learning Center, the museum will be able to host a variety of educational programs, furthering its mission to educate the public about the history and significance of air power. The Museum contains over 75 vintage flying and static airframes from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, including an F-117 Stealth Fighter. Aircraft are contained inside 91,000 square feet of open hangars and on the tarmac with additional displays and memorabilia are located throughout the hangars.

“We are thrilled to see this project come to life,” said Fred Bell, Vice Chairman at the Palm Springs Air Museum. “Our collaboration with HED and Cioffi Architect has resulted in a design that respects the museum’s historical significance while enhancing our educational facilities and providing modern amenities for future generations to enjoy.”

As the Palm Springs Air Museum breaks ground on this exciting new chapter, the partnership between HED and Cioffi Architect exemplifies a successful collaboration that blends visionary design with practical execution, setting a new standard for museum expansions.