The Peterson Automotive Museum in Southern California will mark its 20th anniversary in 2014 with an exterior transformation and interior redesign, creating world class facilities displaying the art, culture and heritage associated with automobiles.

The museum’s new exterior is designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and will incorporate long ribbons of stainless steel that wrap around the redesigned red building, in order to create imagery linked to speed and the organic curves of a coach-built automobile. At night, the building will be lit from within turning the museum into a glowing steel sculpture.

Inside, the museum faces a number of interior changes with 15,000 sq ft (1,393sq m) of display space being added. The redesigned galleries will display cars, trucks and motorcycles from around the world, while there will also be an expansion of rotating displays, technology and storytelling devices which will bring fresh perspectives to the attraction throughout the year.

The new interior will house a restored, refined and upgraded permanent collection to ensure the museum continues its tradition of showcasing automotive culture, while continuing to celebrate Southern California's rich history of automotive innovation, competition and design.

The transformation will also bring immersive learning stations and education programmes to educate people about the historical significance of a number of American and European classic cars, as well as providing information on alternative fuel technology.

Specialists involved with the transformation include architectural metal experts Zahner, structural engineers Saiful Bouquet and construction company MATT Construction.

The museum will immediately begin a capital campaign to raise funds for the work to the Petersen’s exterior.