LACMA Unveils Ambitious David Geffen Galleries Redesign

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor's fluid concrete vision redefines the museum's presence and curatorial approach.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:24pm

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An abstract close-up image of shimmering, reflective glass and metal textures, conveying the architectural elegance and technological innovation of the new David Geffen Galleries at LACMA.The David Geffen Galleries at LACMA will showcase the museum's extensive collection in a bold, innovative curatorial approach.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is set to unveil its newest addition, the David Geffen Galleries, designed by renowned architect Peter Zumthor. The highly anticipated opening on April 19, 2026 marks the culmination of a two-decade transformation of LACMA's campus, featuring a fluid concrete form that challenges traditional exhibition norms by focusing on exchange, migration, and commerce across time and cultures.

Why it matters

Zumthor's design not only redefines LACMA's physical presence along Wilshire Boulevard, but also introduces a unique curatorial approach that allows visitors to explore art from different eras and cultures side by side, without prescribed hierarchies. This innovative exhibition strategy aims to frame Los Angeles as a lens through which global art histories intersect.

The details

The David Geffen Galleries will span an impressive 274 meters and showcase approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects from LACMA's extensive collection at any given time. The inaugural installation will feature iconic works such as Georges de La Tour's 'The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame,' Henri Matisse's 'La Gerbe,' and Vincent van Gogh's 'Tarascon Stagecoach,' as well as new commissions by contemporary artists like Todd Gray, Lauren Halsey, and Do Ho Suh.

  • LACMA's campus transformation has been underway for two decades.
  • The David Geffen Galleries are scheduled to open on April 19, 2026.

The players

Peter Zumthor

A renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect who designed the new David Geffen Galleries at LACMA.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The iconic art museum in Los Angeles that is unveiling the new David Geffen Galleries as part of a long-term expansion strategy.

David Geffen

The philanthropist and entertainment mogul whose name will grace the new galleries at LACMA.

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What they’re saying

“This innovative approach to exhibition design will allow visitors to explore art from different eras and cultures in new and exciting ways.”

— Peter Zumthor, Architect

“The David Geffen Galleries will be a true cultural landmark, redefining LACMA's presence in Los Angeles and its role in the global art world.”

— Michael Govan, LACMA Director

What’s next

The public will have the opportunity to experience the new David Geffen Galleries when LACMA's campus reopens on April 19, 2026.

The takeaway

LACMA's ambitious transformation, anchored by the innovative David Geffen Galleries designed by Peter Zumthor, positions the museum as a leading cultural institution that challenges traditional exhibition norms and frames Los Angeles as a unique lens for global art histories.