The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, built for the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, is a 57-acre urban state park located 500 feet above the heart of Los Angeles. The park includes a 10,000 square foot visitor center, an observation deck and viewing areas, hiking trails, picnic areas and a restored natural landscape. The interpretive message of the park is to understand the impact development has had on our land and the symbolic value of this verdant mountain in the midst of a dense city. The Visitor center is comprised of three buildings that are tucked unobtrusively into a hollow near the summit of the park, its curving forms emulating the sculptural landforms of the site. Large polished concrete walls retain the hillside while floor to ceiling windows open the visitor center towards the landscape and expansive views of the city beyond. Staggered curving butterfly roofs bring light down into the structures above the retaining walls as well as angle up towards the views.