Updated LACMA redesign by Peter Zumthor

LACMA redesign
LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

On Wednesday night, renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor spoke with LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan about the concepts behind his plans for LACMA’s future presentation of its collections.

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

Peter last spoke at LACMA in 2013 in conjunction with the exhibition “The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor Reconsiders LACMA”, when we were in the very early stages of thinking about LACMA’s new building.

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

Since that time, Peter and Michael have been working on the concepts behind the building, and Peter and his team have been refining the plans.

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

During the conversation, Peter and Michael focused on the philosophy and evolution of the thinking around the building.

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

Michael said, “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.”

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

Peter agreed, saying that the building allowed for the installation of shows along main routes, “curating the sequences, curating the neighborhoods or juxtapositions, and allowing for side steps.”

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

As for the change in color 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 redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

Since August 2016, LACMA has been hosting meetings and public presentations to discuss the project, and many of the changes in the building design have been in response to public comments.

LACMA redesign
Image © Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner

The museum will continue to have an open dialogue with the community as the project moves forward. Source and images, via LACMA.

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