The Petersen Museum's proposed new exterior

This is not Architectureweek and granted, the Petersen Automotive Museum really does have to do something to its drab, Ohrbach's department store exterior to let people know there's a car museum inside.

Shown here is what they're planning to do.

The Petersen museum released this drawing of its planned exterior revision. The plan is to wrap the entire building and parking structure in this amalgam of flowing lines.

Since its opening 19 years ago the museum has kept the same facade as it always had, the same one as when it was an Ohrbach's department store, which didn't even hint at the wheeled wonders inside.

So why not convey the purpose of the building with a new exterior? How could that best be done? Maybe windows that let people see cars inside? Maybe more than a Cup car hanging on the west side over the Johnny Rocket's? Or this?

What is your opinion?

By Mark Vaughn