The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is nearing completion of its new Brutalist building designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, known as the David Geffen Galleries. Museum members will get a sneak peek at the empty interior spaces starting July 3, though the fully finished project with art installed won't open until April 2026. The poured-in-place concrete structure spans 347,500 square feet, including 110,000 square feet of exhibition space across 90 galleries, elevated 30 feet above ground on seven massive piers crossing Wilshire Boulevard. The article offers a critical preview of the building's aesthetics, noting the overwhelming monotony of concrete across floors, walls, and ceilings, while acknowledging some appealing views and powerful visual impact.
The article matters because it represents a major moment for LACMA, one of the largest encyclopedic museums in the United States, as it transitions to a radically new architectural identity and curatorial approach. The shift from a chronological, geographically organized permanent collection to theme-based, curatorially driven exhibitions marks a significant change in how visitors will experience global art. The building's high cost—estimated at $720 million to $835 million—and its controversial Brutalist design by the renowned Peter Zumthor make this a pivotal development in museum architecture and institutional strategy, with implications for how encyclopedic museums balance aesthetics, accessibility, and curatorial innovation.