chicago approves MAD architects' george lucas museum

chicago’s city council has finally approved the construction of the much-discussed lucas museum of narrative art. designed by MAD architects, the project’s concept builds upon the firm’s interest in blending nature with urbanity, integrating building and landscape with an organically formed structure. chicago-based VOA is the scheme’s architect of record, while studio gang and SCAPE landscape architects are responsible for designing the surrounding parkland.

‘the lucas museum of narrative art will be an incredible addition to chicago’s museum campus,’ said chiacgo’s mayor rahm emanuel. ‘the lucas museum will join the 56 other museums in chicago to provide new cultural and educational benefits for generations to come. the new parkland will add more open greenspace that will be enjoyed by residents across the city.’

building and landscape are integrated with an organically formed structure
all images courtesy of MAD architects / lucas museum of narrative art

the building is comprised of three levels of exhibition space organized in continual loops. a white conical mass is topped by an elevated disc at its peak, which contains an observation deck offering panoramic views toward the city and the adjacent lake michigan. ‘the museum is not an isolated object, but a spatial experience that is defined by the people who occupy and interact with it,’ explains MAD. ‘it is a place to discover and explore, to communicate and contemplate. more than a building, it is an urban vista for social interaction, bringing people closer to each other and to nature.’

the white conical mass is topped by an elevated disc at its peak

‘we are very pleased with the approval by the city council,’ said lucas museum of narrative art president don bacigalupi. ‘the lucas museum of narrative art will be a tremendous educational and cultural amenity for all chicagoans, and a major addition to the city’s vibrant and renowned artistic community. it will also deliver nearly 200,000 square feet of new green space and accessible parkland along the lakefront for all to enjoy. we are excited to move forward with the museum’s construction.’

a scheduled opening date for the lucas museum of narrative art has been forecast for 2019. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

an aerial view of the proposed development site