MAD architects + studio gang to design george lucas museum in chicago

MAD architects + studio gang to design george lucas museum in chicago
image courtesy of lucas museum of narrative art

after a lengthy selection process, the design team for the lucas museum of narrative art, to be located in chicago, has been revealed. beijing-based MAD architects has been chosen as the principal designer for the project, while locally-based studio gang will lead the landscape scheme, including a bridge connecting to northerly island. local office VOA associates have been appointed as the executive architect, to carry out the realization of the design.

the museum will house works relating to narrative art and the evolution of moving images, with pieces ranging from illustration to cinema to digital media of recent times. the seed collection has been donated by founder george lucas, spanning a century and a half to broadly represent the field’s cultural heritage. commenting on the selection of the design team, george lucas states, ‘we are bringing together some of the top architects in the world to ensure that our museum experience begins long before a visitor ever enters the building. I am thrilled with the architectural team’s vision for the building and the surrounding green space. I look forward to presenting our design to the chicago community.’

the LMNA carried out a thorough and international search, considering several architects including amsterdam-based UNStudio, who was ultimately runner-up for the principal design role. MAD architects was chosen for its  deep record of innovative projects and its overall philosophy of connecting urban spaces to natural landscapes. led by its founder and principal ma yansong, the office will be responsible for the overall concept of the museum building. certainly not its first prominent cultural institution project, the firm’s repertoire includes the absolute towers in ontario, canada, the ordos museum in ordos, china and chaoyang park plaza in beijing, china.

responding to the selection announcement, ma yansong expresses, ‘it is a gift to be able to design the lucas museum of narrative art in a city so rich with architectural history. I am humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to create a timeless design that moves and inspires people just like mr. lucas’ collection.’

to connect the facility to the neighboring northerly island, the museum will undertake the construction of a bridge, at no cost to the city of chicago. LMNA has select jeanne gang to design the landscape and viaduct, based on her recent experience on the island to transform an existing airport runway into a vegetated landscape. to comment on the project commission she remarks, ‘we are excited to build upon our current work and collaborate to create a seamless transition between the museum campus and northerly island. in keeping with the northerly island ethos, our design goal will be to create a combined ecological and urban habitat.’

stay tuned for images of the designed lucas museum of narrative art, expected in late 2014.