LPA has been selected by the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum/ExplorOcean design and construction committee to draw up plans for a new waterfront facility in Newport Beach, California, US.

The architectural practice has been appointed to design the Core Building Shell and Site phase, including the concept; planning and design; and schematic design. Meanwhile, The Hettema Group has also been chosen to provide concept design; exhibition themes; and unifying project elements as part of the proposed development.

Questar Construction will act as project manager on the scheme, with the museum's board of trustees hoping for work to start in 2015. The new facility is due for completion in 2017. Newport Harbor Nautical Museum/ExplorOcean president Rita Stenlund said: "This highly talented team will guide the development of ExplorOcean through our next exciting steps in becoming a world class cultural destination."