peter zumthor's updated LACMA expansion plans

the los angeles county museum of art (LACMA) has revealed new images of its peter zumthor-designed project. the building, which will house the institution’s permanent collection, will replace four of the museum’s seven current buildings. the released images indicate that the predominant coloration of the building has changed from dark to light. ‘peter’s thinking has evolved along with the building, and he wanted it to be elemental, with a mineral tone, very substantial but not slick, and to make the outside feel like the inside,’ LACMA said in a statement.

the new building will house the institution’s permanent collection
image by atelier peter zumthor/the boundary (main image by atelier peter zumthor)

the new building will still traverse wilshire boulevard, giving the museum the chance to further expand in future. in may 2016, LACMA announced that it had received two major donations in its quest to raise funds for the new building. since then, zumthor and his team have been developing the design alongside LACMA CEO and wallis annenberg director michael govan. ‘for me, the most exciting thing is this idea of choice, that you could wander through a museum, like you could wander through a park, making your own path,’ govan said on the evolving concept.

the structure will traverse the famous wilshire boulevard
image by atelier peter zumthor

since august 2016, LACMA has been hosting meetings and public presentations to discuss the project, with many of the changes in the design made in response to public comments. it is believed that the demolition of the site’s existing buildings could begin as soon as 2018, however an environmental review would be needed before construction on the new wing can begin. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the predominant color of the building has changed from dark to light
image by atelier peter zumthor