The new US$2.9m Sturt Haaga gallery, which will showcase exhibitions of art, science and history, has opened at the Descanso Gardens botanical gardens in California, US.

The new space has been five years in planning with funding being provided entirely from private sources, led by a US$2.1m gift local residents Heather Sturt Haaga and Paul G. Haaga Jr.

The new gallery was created by restoring an existing structure adjacent to the historic Boddy House, located in the southeast corner of the 150-acre botanical garden's property, and doubling it in size with additional gallery and support spaces.

The gallery was designed by Los Angeles-based architects Frederick Fisher & Partners and the exterior features seek to integrate the building with the surrounding gardens and landscape.

A "green roof" garden above adds insulation, absorbs rainfall, and provides a space to exhibit California native and other climate-compatible plants in an ornamental, small-space garden.

An intimate garden of sculptural plants also connects the historic garage building with the extension.