Get ready for a game-changing addition to the art scene in Los Angeles! The David Geffen Galleries, designed by the renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, are set to open at LACMA in April 2026, promising an immersive and unique museum experience.
LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is about to unveil a two-decade-long transformation of its campus. The new building, spanning an impressive 274 meters along Wilshire Boulevard, will become the primary home for LACMA's permanent collection, offering a staggering 10,220 square meters of exhibition space.
But here's where it gets controversial... Zumthor's design, with its fluid concrete form, elevates the museum's presence in the city. The building, set on elevated piers, creates a dynamic and modern aesthetic, challenging traditional museum architecture. A network of floating staircases and elevators provides access from both sides of Wilshire Boulevard, inviting visitors to explore and discover.
The inaugural installation takes an innovative approach, organizing works not by medium or chronology but by oceanic themes. The Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, along with the Mediterranean Sea, serve as the framework, highlighting exchange, migration, and commerce across time. This unique curatorial choice allows diverse cultures and eras to coexist, offering a fresh perspective on art history.
Forty-five curators have collaborated on this ambitious project, bringing together an impressive array of artworks spanning 6,000 years. Highlights include masterpieces like Georges de La Tour's 'The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame,' Henri Matisse's 'La Gerbe,' and Vincent van Gogh's 'Tarascon Stagecoach.' The installation is further enriched by new commissions from contemporary artists, adding a modern twist to the collection.
And this is the part most people miss... Beyond the galleries, the project extends into newly accessible outdoor spaces, integrating with Hancock Park. The plaza level will host public art installations and educational programs, creating a vibrant cultural hub. Works by artists like Mariana Castillo Deball, Pedro Reyes, and Shio Kusaka will grace the park, alongside iconic pieces like Tony Smith's 'Smoke' and Alexander Calder's 'Three Quintains (Hello Girls).'
The reopening also brings back beloved works closely associated with LACMA's identity, ensuring a sense of continuity and familiarity for returning visitors. Amenities on the plaza level will open in phases, with the LACMA Store and Café leading the way, followed by the W.M. Keck Education Center, offering a well-rounded visitor experience.
The April 2026 opening marks the culmination of a long-term expansion strategy, increasing gallery space while maintaining public access throughout construction. With the David Geffen Galleries, LACMA's total exhibition area grows to approximately 20,440 square meters, solidifying its position as the largest art museum in the western United States.
Zumthor's building replaces four aging museum structures with a single, unified gallery space, physically and conceptually repositioning the institution. Los Angeles is no longer just a display site but a lens through which global art histories intersect and dialogue.
Are you excited for this transformative addition to the art world? What do you think of Zumthor's design and the oceanic framework for the inaugural installation? Share your thoughts and let's spark a conversation about the future of museums!
