LACMA reveals concrete interiors of its peter zumthor-designed building

with LACMA currently closed to the public, demolition work is continuing at the museum’s miracle mile campus in los angeles. the project — previously featured on designboom here — will replace four of the institution’s aging structures, which had fallen into disrepair, with a new building designed by swiss architect peter zumthor. now, LACMA has revealed images of the interior gallery spaces that will hold the institution’s collection. these galleries will be located on one level, a horizontal design that the museum says ‘offers an egalitarian experience’.

terrace and north entrance galleries, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary (also main image)

‘displaying all art on a single level avoids giving more prominence to any specific culture, tradition, or era, offering visitors a multitude of perspectives on art and art history in a more accessible, inclusive way,’ LACMA continues. ‘the single-level gallery floor will also be more intuitive to navigate and easier to access, especially for wheelchairs and strollers, and its perimeter of transparent glass will provide energizing natural light and views to the park and urban environment, with views from outside into the galleries.’

terrace and south entrance galleries facing north, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

the new building will have a range of exhibition spaces, from galleries with natural light to galleries with controlled artificial lighting. the majority of spaces in the new building have been designed to be able to display light-sensitive works. noticeably, concrete has been chosen for the gallery walls. pointing out that concrete walls have been used successfully in other museums around the world, LACMA says that the material was chosen for its ‘aesthetic character and beautiful sense of gravitas’. the LA times says that zumthor is collaborating with SOM on the building’s design, engineering, and construction — including the interior finishes.

courtyard gallery, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

the new building totals 347,500 square feet (32,284 sqm), replacing approximately 393,000 square feet (36,511 sqm) of existing buildings. there will be approximately 110,000 square feet of gallery space (10,219 sqm), replacing approximately 120,000 square feet (11,148 sqm) of gallery space. however, the building also includes a new theater, education spaces, three restaurant/cafés, a museum shop, and covered multipurpose event spaces. meanwhile, much-improved ancillary and back-of-house facilities will support LACMA’s public programs.

interior gallery, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

the $750 million USD project is being funded through a public-private partnership where the county of los angeles will contribute $125 million and $625 million will come from private donations. more than $655 million has been raised to date. construction work on site began in 2020, with the new building expected to complete by the end of 2023 before opening to the public a year later. more information can be seen on LACMA’s dedicated website, and see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

courtyard gallery, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

terrace galleries, facing west, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

terrace galleries facing west towards resnick pavilion, exhibition level
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

exterior view southwest from hancock park, pavilion for japanese art on the far right
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

view northwest toward BCAM, resnick pavilion, smidt welcome plaza, and ‘urban light’
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

aerial view; LACMA building, including david geffen galleries, in context of museum mile
image © atelier peter zumthor & partner/the boundary

project info:

architect: atelier peter zumthor & partner
client: LACMA — los angeles county museum of art
location: los angeles, CA, USA
status: under construction — completion forecast for the end of 2023, with public opening scheduled for 2024