In Los Angeles, where light defines the rhythm of the day and space is a language unto itself, LACMA unveils a transformative chapter: the David Geffen Galleries. Conceived by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Peter Zumthor, the building emerges as both a structural marvel and a philosophical gesture—an invitation to experience art without hierarchy, boundaries, or predictable sequence. Hovering above Wilshire Boulevard in a sinuous, horizontal sweep, the galleries signal a new era for one of the most ambitious museum campuses in the United States.
A Building That Moves Like Light
Aerial view of LACMA buildings, including David Geffen Galleries in context of
Miracle Mile, photo © Iwan Baan
The David Geffen Galleries defy the conventional museum blueprint. Instead of stacking floors vertically, Zumthor stretches the building outward—an organic, flowing form elevated on slender supports. This design creates a sense of weightlessness, allowing the structure to hover above the city while maintaining an intimate dialogue with it.
Natural light becomes an essential collaborator. Carefully modulated skylights and apertures invite the Southern California sun to animate the interiors, shifting the perception of artworks throughout the day. Soft, atmospheric textile interventions—most notably the ethereal curtains by Reiko Sudo—filter light and movement, adding a tactile, almost ephemeral dimension to the galleries. The architecture resists monumentality in favor of permeability—visitors move fluidly, without prescribed routes, discovering works in sequences that feel intuitive and personal.
A New Way of Seeing Art
Installation view of the inaugural presentation in the David Geffen Galleries, April
2026, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA.
Installation view of the inaugural presentation in the David Geffen Galleries, April
2026, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
Inside, the curatorial approach mirrors the architecture’s openness. The inaugural installation takes the ocean as both metaphor and framework, using it as a connective thread across cultures, geographies, and histories. In place of a linear narrative, the galleries unfold like currents—fluid, layered, and constantly shifting.
Works from across LACMA’s encyclopedic collection enter into dynamic conversation. Visitors encounter artists such as Henri Matisse, Betye Saar, Francis Bacon, Diego Rivera, and Katsushika Hokusai, alongside contemporary voices like Do Ho Suh and Lauren Halsey, whose work channels the architectural and cultural rhythms of Los Angeles itself.
Sculptural interventions from the Alexander Calder Foundation introduce moments of kinetic energy—delicate balances of motion and form that echo the building’s own suspended grace. Together, these works create a dazzling parade of perspectives, where ancient objects, modern masterpieces, and contemporary installations resonate across time.
Public Space as Cultural Pulse
Exterior view northeast from Wilshire Boulevard with Chris Burden’s “Urban
Light” (2008) in foreground, David Geffen Galleries at LACMA, art © Chris
Burden/licensed by The Chris Burden Estate and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New
York, photo © Iwan Baan.
Beyond the galleries, the building extends LACMA’s commitment to public engagement through expansive plaza spaces that anchor the museum within the city’s daily life. These open-air environments invite gathering, performance, and pause—blurring the boundaries between institution and urban landscape. Visitors move seamlessly between interior galleries and exterior zones, where art and architecture unfold against the backdrop of Los Angeles. The David Geffen Galleries become a civic stage—one that welcomes both intentional audiences and spontaneous passersby.
Behold commissioned works throughout the plaza such as a soaring stone carving by Pedro Reyes, an upcoming sculpture by Shio Kusaka, and a symphony of beguiling Auguste Rodin sculptures across the Iris and B. Gerald Canton Sculpture Garden. Look forward to refreshment and revitalization with Erewhon at LACMA, the LACMA Store, the W.M. Keck Education Center, alongside fall openings of a LACMA wine bar, restaurant, and more.
Engineering the Impossible
View southeast from exhibition level with “The Bateman Mercury” (2nd-century copy
after a Greek original of the 4th century BCE), David Geffen Galleries at LACMA,
photo © Iwan Baan.
Realizing Zumthor’s vision required extraordinary engineering precision. The building’s sweeping form spans Wilshire Boulevard, a feat that merges infrastructure with artistry. Its exterior—crafted in a warm-toned concrete—echoes the hues of the surrounding landscape, grounding the futuristic silhouette in the textures of Southern California.
Sustainability also plays a crucial role. The design integrates energy-efficient systems and materials, aligning the museum’s future with environmental responsibility. The building is not only visually striking but thoughtfully attuned to its ecological context.
A Landmark for the Future
Installation view of the inaugural presentation in the David Geffen Galleries, April
2026, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA.
The David Geffen Galleries represent more than an expansion; they redefine what a museum can be. By dissolving boundaries—between disciplines, eras, and audiences—LACMA positions itself at the forefront of contemporary cultural thinking. The opening will be marked by a highly anticipated gala celebration on April 16, ushering in a new chapter for the institution and the city alike.
In Zumthor’s hands, architecture becomes an instrument of perception, shaping how art is encountered and remembered. The building invites visitors to slow down, to wander, to look again—transforming the act of viewing into something immersive, even meditative.
On June 20, a celebratory Block Party will engage all ages in gallery tours, DJ sets, international culinary delights, and more. As Los Angeles continues to evolve as a global cultural capital, the David Geffen Galleries stand as a radiant anchor—an elevated horizon where art, architecture, and the city converge in a single, continuous gesture.
