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Amidst L.A. Wildfires, the Getty Center’s Anti-Fire Design Measures

As wildfires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area, art lovers have to be nervous about their proximity to the Getty Center, which houses many priceless works of art. But thankfully architect Richard Meier was fully aware of what the value of the Getty’s contents would be, and designed the site with plenty of anti-fire features. In addition, the Getty’s administrators maintain anti-fire practices. Here’s the rundown:

Materials

The building is constructed from travertine stone and metal panels. The walls and doors were all designed to a thickness that will compartmentalize flames.

Landscaping

Plants with high water contents surround the museum, and fire-resistant poverty weed has been planted on the slopes. The surrounding hills are kept clear of brush and grass by a herd of goats (we’re not kidding) that the Center hires annually.

Infrastructure

On-site is both a helipad for firefighting ‘copters, and a one-million-gallon water tank that they can use to load up on water. Hydrants around the property and the fire suppression system both draw from the site’s own reservoir. The museum’s access ramp was designed to accommodate a fire engine passing over it.

Technology

In addition to smoke detection systems and sprinklers, the Getty has been designed with internal pressurization systems. If smoke gets into the building, the system can pump it back out.

As Getty Center spokesman Ron Hartwig puts it, the Getty is “the safest place an art collection can be.”