The Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) has unveiled plans for a major campus expansion designed by Safdie Rabines Architects, marking a significant milestone in the museum’s growth. The expansion incorporates the historic Oceanside Fire Station No. 1 and will grow OMA’s campus by 50% to span a full city block, stewarding two Irving J. Gill landmarks — the former 1934 City Hall and the 1929 Fire Station.
With the addition of the Fire Station, OMA’s footprint will increase to 30,000 square feet, adding new capacity for exhibitions, a dedicated education center, and a new roster of public programs. Outdoor space will be expanded, allowing for additional public art, an informal gathering terrace, and a café. The design improves circulation between galleries, public areas, and outdoor plazas, with indoor and outdoor experiences flowing together and creating new opportunities to showcase Southern California artists within the Oceanside Cultural District.
The design brings a contemporary approach that respects the historic architectural integrity of Fire Station No. 1. Designed by pioneering modernist architect Irving J. Gill, Fire Station 1 will be restored to reflect its original design, including its signature arches, windows, and historic fire hose drying tower. The renovation leverages Gill’s signature arcades to connect OMA’s central pavilion and terrace with surrounding outdoor spaces enhanced with sculpture, public art, gardens, public gathering spaces, and landscape elements.
The expansion will increase gallery space to 10,000 square feet, and will create a community gallery inside the former fire station bay where fire trucks once parked, designed to be accessible to all; and a dedicated space to showcase OMA’s permanent collection, allowing OMA to exhibit and steward its expanding collection of Southern California art.
Behind the scenes, collection storage will grow from 600 to 2,000 square feet, increasing OMA’s ability to collect, preserve, and document the region’s art history and offer varied exhibitions of Southern California artists.
Oceanside Museum of Art is a non-profit organization that began providing exhibitions and public programs in 1995 as part of their mission to bring people together to explore the art and stories of Southern California artists. For more information, visit www.oma-online.org/expansion.