Architecture, gardens and pool at the MOLAA Museum of Latin American Art

 
The front cactus and succulents garden, the path surrounding the building and pool. I have to say, as a thought for hardscape design, though the perspective looks great, nobody dares to sit down under the Summer sun and the path is empty. I've seen it crowded only once, with people waiting in a queue, for Frida Kahlo's photos exhibition years ago. 

After a couple of years, I have come back to the MOLAA, Museum of Latin American Art of Long Beach, California. I am sharing some of my pictures as an example of architecture in combination with landscape. The building was designed by Mexican architect Manuel Rosen and I can appreciate the influence of architect Ricardo Legorreta whose designs are inspired in time by Pritzker winner architect Luis Barragan. The three Mexican architects' designs display the sensibility for color, high walls in combination with water, reflections, the sense of peace, the arid landscape, and the view of the blue sky at least as much as it can be achieved.

The front garden

It is important to walk around and discover the visuals with the pool reflections, the geometry, the game of light and shadows and, as an interesting detail, a round mirror that reflects the street activity and Palm trees.

The Palm trees are strategically located to produce perspectives or focal points, depending on where we are standing.

The cascade, a beautiful fixture that is never absent in Barragan's architecture. The difference here is that we need to make an effort to isolate ourselves from the transit noise coming from behind.

As I mentioned before, this Palm tree is to be seen at the end of the perspective between two walls.

A side view of the pool. On the left, a metal sculpture.

The garden inside the MOLAA has this amazing cactus, I like to see it from different angles.

The bollards and screens with matching colors. The use of stone matches the front garden.

A vertical picture to show the fantastic cactus combined with Palm trees. The parking lot is surrounded by Bougainvilleas.

Entering the garden inside, the building is surrounded by palms and cactus in rustic ceramic pots.

My favorite sculpture in the museum. See how the entrance to the garden is designed with a trellis.

I've felt a little disappointed this time, this is not the way I remember the garden inside the building. I have in mind the slab on grade was not extended everywhere, it does not look friendly. I believe there was lawn and I can understand if it has been removed. The open plaza is for chairs, to watch performances on the elevated stage. I have been on the stage when one of my art works  about Frida Kahlo, was selected among others. I can tell the lack of shadow in the patio is pretty critical, mostly in Summer. 

You can see here, this person is sitting in the shadow and such a plaza is empty. There was a lot of people inside.

The garden used to be wilder for sure, with more species.

Another empty view of the garden on a free Sunday afternoon, while there was a lot of people inside the building. We must not forget about the uses of the spaces during extreme weather.

All pictures belong to Myriam Mahiques, from my personal archives, September 2022. Do not share without my permission.