The new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the world’s premier institution dedicated to the art and science of movies. Its unparalleled collections tell the many stories from the world of cinema—the art and artists, the technique and technology, the history and social impact—offering immersive exhibitions and dynamic programs for visitors from around the world.

The building’s design architecture was provided by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with architect of record Gensler. MATT Construction performed the restoration work on the 1939 Saban Building and built the state-of-the-art David Geffen Theater. Krieger Specialty Products was commissioned to provide custom door assemblies to meet the Academy’s precise acoustical requirements in areas throughout the complex. Project distributor Seeley Brothers worked with Krieger and other stakeholders. “We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a talented team of suppliers and trade partners in bringing this remarkable project to fruition,” says Seeley Brothers Partner Dave Seltzer. “It will forever be one of the great cultural and architectural icons in Los Angeles.”

In total, Krieger constructed 19 door assemblies of various sizes and configurations for the complex. These included four pairs of oversized steel acoustical door assemblies measuring 3 x 9 feet with an STC 51 rating. In addition, 12 steel acoustical assemblies with an STC 51 rating measuring 4 x 8 feet were installed, along with three pairs of acoustical fire-rated doors used for a second-floor imaging room, a third-floor mechanical room, and a utility room on the fourth floor. “All of us at Krieger were excited that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chose our products for this very important and high-profile building project,” says Krieger President Bob McCluney. “We’re extremely proud to have worked with the Academy on projects in the past and to earn their trust again and be able to provide for their specialty door needs.”

Krieger’s new Cam Lift Hinges were used in some of the door assemblies in the Saban Building, including the new Electrified Cam Lift Hinge to power the doors and provide clean lines and smooth, quiet operation in noise-sensitive areas of the museum complex. “We were excited to provide this unique Electrified Cam Lift Hinge for this project,” says McCluney. “It has passed all UL Standards for both security and reliability—and comes in different latching hardware options, which was an important aspect of this project from an aesthetic perspective.” Other specialized devices installed include latch bolts, exit devices, astragals, and card readers to ensure security in sensitive and specialized areas of the complex.

While the museum just opened in September 2021, the massive 300,000-square-foot campus has already become a Los Angeles architectural icon. Commissioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the project encompasses the renovation of the Saban Building, formerly the May Company department store from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the Sphere Building with its 1,000-seat Geffen Theater and glass-domed Dolby Family Terrace. The complex is home to 50,000 square feet of gallery space, two theaters, an education studio, offices, conservation facilities, a restaurant, and a retail store. The renovated Saban Building section of the museum includes four floors of exhibition gallery space. There’s also the Shirley Temple Education Studio, which will host teen programs, family studio activities, and school tours.

The Academy’s collection contains more than 13 million objects from film history, including costumes, sketches, film reels, posters, props, and screenplays dating back to 1927. The museum’s galleries will feature rotating exhibitions on a wide variety of topics ranging from Citizen Kane to climate change, and Bruce Lee to Spike Lee.

Three bridges connect the Saban Building to the new Sphere Building, a rounded structure featuring the Geffen Theater and the glass-domed Dolby Family Terrance. The bridges are designed and engineered to withstand seismic vibrations. The museum features two theaters—the Geffen Theater in the sphere itself and the smaller 288-seat Ted Mann Theater in the lower level of the Saban Building. These theaters are to be used for screenings, programming, and other special events.