BUILDING THE NEW HOME FOR ART AND CULTURE IN LOS ANGELES

PHOTO: LACMA

The US$750 million building project entails the construction of one modern building to replace four aging buildings (Ahmanson, Art of the Americas, Bing, Hammer), as well as the construction of a parking structure.

Clark Construction is leading the project and will rely on concrete to build the new structures walls.

“Concrete was chosen to give the building a sublime aesthetic character and beautiful sense of gravitas,” says LACMA. “Additionally, many objects and antiquities in our collection originated in buildings or other settings built from stone, so it is particularly fitting to display them in concrete-walled galleries.”

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the project will incorporate LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) features and achieve Gold certification. Excavated earth and demolished materials will be recycled to the fullest extent possible, says LACMA, and landscaping will require minimum water and conform to the natural flora of the area.

Construction started in 2020, with completion expected later this year.

One of the most unique aspects of the building is its high use of a glass exterior; uncommon for museum designs, which need darkness to preserve valuable exhibition materials.

“Thousands of works in our collection can be safely displayed in natural light, and are in fact wonderful to view in that setting,” says LACMA. “The new building will have a range of exhibition spaces, from galleries with natural light to galleries with controlled artificial lighting.

“The majority of galleries in the new building are designed to be able to display light-sensitive works. Natural light and views to the park along the perimeter of the building also will reduce fatigue in our visitors.”