Construction is about to begin for an expansion of Culver City's Cold War museum, which will soon add a new community center to its campus at 10858 Culver Boulevard.

View of Wende Museum expansion from parking entryAUX Architecture

On June 18, the Wende Museum and its design-build team of AUX Architecture and Shawmut Design and Construction held a groundbreaking for the project, which is named the Glorya Kaufman Creative Community Center after one of the project's principal supporters, and a well-known advocate for the performing arts in the Los Angeles area.

The project also includes participation from the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum, the United States Veterans’ Artist Alliance, Upward Bound House, and the Artistic Freedom Initiative, which will include cultural and educational programming.

AUX is designing the approximately 7,000-square-foot space, which will feature a live performance theater, a demonstration garden, art spaces for veterans, and affordable housing for artists. Renderings depict the building as a contemporary low-rise structure with an exterior of painted stucco, concrete, and aluminum, as well as terrace decks.

View of Wende Museum expansion from gardenAUX Architecture

The overall Wende Museum expansion also calls for converting part of the property's existing community garden into six apartments - averaging 325 square feet in size - that would be reserved for low-income, homeless artist residents.

“The creation of the Wende’s Creative Community Center—in conjunction with its partner organizations—signals Culver City’s commitment to ensuring access and engagement for all," said Culver City Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee in a statement. "Further, the eventual completion of this project will include much-needed affordable housing for international and local artists right here in our own community.” 

Programs at the community center will be provided free of charge, per the groundbreaking announcement.

Wende Museum community garden and housingAUX Architecture

Heavy construction is expected to kick off in July 2022, with completion expected in 2023.