peter zumthor bridges wilshire boulevard with LACMA redesign

peter zumthor bridges wilshire boulevard with LACMA redesign
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner

renowned swiss architect peter zumthor has revised his original plans for the los angeles county museum of art (LACMA). the redesign spans one one of LA’s busiest roads, the wilshire boulevard, allowing vehicular traffic to pass beneath the complex. for the most part the scheme remains unchanged with the sinuous and transparent structure reminiscent of the neighboring la brea tar pits. the new proposal involves extending one quarter of the total structure  south to occupy what is currently the museum car park.

zumthor originally presented plans for the site in mid-2013, however concerns were raised with officials worried that the structure could obstruct scientific discoveries found within the region’s tar pits. once approved by governmental and environmental authorities, the plan will replace several aging structures on the LACMA campus.

the redesigned museum spans one one of LA’s busiest roads
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner

the sinuous structure is reminiscent of the neighboring la brea tar pits
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner

site plan highlighting where the LACMA building crosses wilshire boulevard
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner