LACMA Opens David Geffen Galleries, Marking a Major Shift in Museum Design and Curatorial Practice

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has officially unveiled its new David Geffen Galleries, introducing one of the most ambitious transformations in contemporary museum architecture and exhibition design in the United States.

Designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the project has been in development for nearly two decades. It represents a major investment in cultural infrastructure, with a reported budget of approximately $724 million. The new structure spans around 110,000 square feet and forms a continuous, elevated building that stretches across Wilshire Boulevard, physically and symbolically reconnecting previously separated sections of the museum campus.

The architecture departs from traditional museum typologies. The building is defined by a low, horizontal silhouette and a sculptural concrete form that resembles a flowing landscape. Zumthor’s design prioritizes continuity, openness, and circulation, allowing visitors to move through the space without rigid spatial divisions. Natural light enters the building through carefully engineered skylights, creating controlled illumination conditions for artworks while maintaining a sense of architectural openness.

The curatorial model inside the David Geffen Galleries also represents a significant shift. LACMA has moved away from a strict chronological arrangement of artworks. Instead, the museum applies a thematic and cross-cultural display strategy. Artworks from different periods, regions, and mediums are presented together based on shared ideas, forms, or historical dialogue. This approach encourages comparative interpretation and allows visitors to experience connections between works that would not normally be placed side by side in traditional museum settings.

The new galleries also aim to redefine the visitor experience by emphasizing movement and spatial awareness. The absence of a linear route encourages exploration and personal engagement with the collection. This design strategy reflects a broader trend in contemporary museology, where museums are increasingly seen as experiential environments rather than static repositories.

LACMA’s transformation is also part of a wider effort to strengthen its position as a leading global cultural institution. By integrating large-scale architecture with a restructured curatorial philosophy, the museum positions itself at the intersection of art, design, and public engagement.

The opening of the David Geffen Galleries marks a significant moment for both Los Angeles and the international museum landscape. It reflects a growing shift toward immersive, non-linear, and concept-driven exhibition models that challenge traditional definitions of how art should be displayed and experienced.