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LACMA's Peter Zumthor-Designed David Geffen Galleries: A New Era of Art Exhibition

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The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is about to embark on a new chapter with the grand opening of its David Geffen Galleries on April 19th, 2026. This significant event completes a transformative journey spanning two decades, culminating in a striking architectural masterpiece by Pritzker Prize laureate Peter Zumthor. The new facility will serve as the primary showcase for LACMA's extensive permanent collection, offering an impressive 10,220 square meters of exhibition space within a 274-meter-long structure that gracefully bridges Wilshire Boulevard.

Designed with a flowing concrete form and elevated on piers, the David Geffen Galleries reimagines the museum's presence in Los Angeles. Access to this architectural marvel is facilitated by a network of floating staircases and elevators on both sides of Wilshire Boulevard. The north wing has been named the Elaine Wynn Wing in honor of a substantial donation, while the south wing awaits its future designation. The inaugural exhibition boldly departs from conventional chronological or medium-based displays, instead utilizing the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, alongside the Mediterranean Sea, as a thematic framework. This innovative approach emphasizes cultural exchange, migration, and commerce across millennia, fostering an environment where diverse artworks from various periods and origins coexist without prescribed hierarchies. Visitors can expect to see a rotating selection of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects from LACMA's vast collection at any given time, offering a continuously fresh and engaging experience. This expansive vision extends beyond the interior galleries, with 14,164 square meters of new outdoor space seamlessly integrated into Hancock Park, providing a vibrant setting for public art installations and educational programs.

The reopening also signifies the return of beloved artworks synonymous with LACMA's identity, such as Tony Smith's "Smoke" (1967) and Alexander Calder's "Three Quintains (Hello Girls)" (1964). Furthermore, a 743-square-meter garden along the north side of Wilshire Boulevard will feature sculptures by Auguste Rodin alongside pieces by Los Angeles-based artist Liz Glynn. Amenities on the plaza level, including the LACMA Store and LACMA Café, will open in phases, with the W.M. Keck Education Center launching on May 3rd, 2026, as part of the NexGenLA celebration. This comprehensive expansion strategy, which previously saw the addition of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion, brings LACMA's total exhibition area to an impressive 20,440 square meters, significantly increasing its capacity to showcase art.

The David Geffen Galleries not only physically transforms LACMA but also redefines its conceptual role, positioning Los Angeles as a critical nexus where global art histories converge. This revitalized institution, housing over 150,000 objects, continues to stand as the largest art museum in the western United States, inviting both Angelenos and international visitors to engage with art in new and meaningful ways. The vision behind this transformation reflects a commitment to cultural enrichment and accessibility, fostering an environment where art transcends boundaries and inspires connection across diverse communities.

Conway's Arcade: Limitless Play Through AI-Powered Hardware
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Conway's Arcade: Limitless Play Through AI-Powered Hardware

Designers Transform Discarded Rice into Innovative Materials
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Designers Transform Discarded Rice into Innovative Materials

ABERTO5 Exhibition Transforms Eduardo Longo's Casa Bola in São Paulo
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ABERTO5 Exhibition Transforms Eduardo Longo's Casa Bola in São Paulo

Building materials

Historic Austrian Farmhouse Transformed for Modern Living

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In a remarkable architectural endeavor, Steinbauer Architektur has meticulously transformed a historic 200-year-old farmhouse, affectionately known as HÄUSL., nestled in the serene Austrian village of Waidmannsbach. This ambitious project, situated between a flowing stream and a dense spruce forest within the stunning limestone Alps, masterfully melds the enduring charm of the past with the practical demands of modern living. The renovation involved the careful removal of prior, uncoordinated additions and the strategic integration of a new, precisely engineered concrete volume into the hillside. This addition not only fortifies the venerable structure and expands its living areas but also gracefully redefines its presence. The architects successfully navigated decades of makeshift repairs and significant water damage caused by the surrounding slope, ensuring the building's structural integrity while preserving its modest and appealing exterior. Through thoughtful and precise renovation techniques, the home is now robustly protected against environmental challenges, showcasing a seamless architectural dialogue between its historical essence and its renewed contemporary function. This sensitive approach highlights a commitment to both heritage and innovation, offering a blueprint for revitalizing ancient buildings for future generations.

Harmonizing Heritage with Contemporary Design

The latest custodians of HÄUSL., representing the third generation to inhabit this venerable property, commissioned the architectural firm to meticulously preserve its distinct character while seamlessly integrating the conveniences of modern life. The design philosophy championed a striking material contrast: the existing elements were honored with white lime plaster, rejuvenated spruce timber, and burnished steel, creating a warm and authentic ambiance. In thoughtful juxtaposition, the new interventions introduced sandblasted concrete, sleek black mastic asphalt, and polished stainless steel, asserting a deliberate contemporary identity. A sophisticated core insulation system was ingeniously incorporated, allowing the new concrete volume to remain visually prominent on the exterior. This approach ensures that the renovation not only pays homage to the past but also establishes a clear and confident modern presence, enabling the modest farmhouse to thrive gracefully within its picturesque alpine surroundings. The careful selection and application of these materials create an engaging visual and tactile experience, celebrating both the building's rich history and its vibrant future.

The meticulous renovation process commenced with the careful dismantling of all previous ad-hoc extensions and the removal of the remaining longitudinal wall that faced the formidable mountain. The terrain, previously scarred by erosion between the house and the porous rock, presented a significant challenge. The architects ingeniously addressed this by inserting a new, precisely crafted volume, measuring fifteen meters in length, 2.4 meters in width, and 4.5 meters in height. This compact yet substantial addition serves a multifaceted purpose: it effectively stabilizes the hillside, expertly channels groundwater away from the structure, and significantly augments the available living space. Within the thoughtfully reorganized interior, the traditional farmhouse parlor retains its central role as the heart of the home, exuding warmth and history. From this central gathering space, residents can access a bedroom situated to the north and a nearly identical room to the south. A clearly defined architectural joint delineates the old from the new, extending each existing room approximately two meters into the slope. The parlor is now enhanced with a modern kitchenette, and each bedroom is endowed with its own private bathroom. Restored box windows bathe the historic rooms in natural western light, while strategically placed skylights illuminate the new additions from above, ensuring harmonious natural ventilation and a balanced distribution of daylight throughout the entire residence. This thoughtful integration of old and new elements creates a living environment that is both deeply rooted in history and fully equipped for contemporary comfort.

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Studio for New Realities Reimagines Public Play Space in Rotterdam
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Studio for New Realities Reimagines Public Play Space in Rotterdam

Petokka: Transforming Robotic Vacuums into Playful Companions
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Petokka: Transforming Robotic Vacuums into Playful Companions

HAMS and, Studio Transforms a 60-Year-Old Hakone Residence
Building materials

HAMS and, Studio Transforms a 60-Year-Old Hakone Residence

Building materials

VMA Design Studio's Elemental Zoological Pavilion for Łódź Zoo

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VMA Design Studio, a Bangkok-based firm, has unveiled its groundbreaking design for the "House of Elements," a zoological pavilion destined for the Orientarium Zoo in Łódź, Poland. This ambitious 6,000-square-meter undertaking proposes a seamlessly integrated architectural and experiential sequence. The design masterfully interweaves spatial configuration, ecological efficiency, and narrative depth, aiming to interpret the pivotal role of natural elements in shaping life on our planet. This project marks the second significant development for Łódź Zoo, following the 2022 completion of the Orientarium Southeast Asian wildlife complex, and is currently advancing through the competition towards realization.

A Journey Through Earth's Elements: VMA Design Studio's Vision for Łódź Zoo

In response to an international architectural competition initiated by Holding Łódź, VMA Design Studio conceptualized a pavilion that functions as a continuous, thematic expedition. This journey unfolds through distinct zones, each dedicated to a fundamental element: Earth, Ice, Water, Fire, Air, and Future. Unlike traditional zoo layouts with isolated enclosures, this design fosters a cohesive progression, allowing visitors to experience the interconnections of the natural world. VMA's winning proposal, aptly named "One Seed — A Thousand Growths," is underpinned by a singular, adaptable architectural principle. This principle allows the timber-based structural system to morph and respond to the diverse spatial, environmental, and functional demands across the entire site.

The timber structure exhibits remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning from an inviting entrance canopy to an intricate facade screen, then to a terraced enclosure embracing the sea lion courtyard, and finally culminating in a series of vegetated roof decks and ramps that service the café and aviary. While each component serves a unique purpose—whether for enclosure, shading, circulation, or landscape integration—they all share a unified architectural aesthetic. Furthermore, the project introduces a new public realm, establishing a vital link between the zoo's primary entrance, the existing Orientarium complex, and the newly proposed pavilion. A strategically placed ticket hall, accessible to the public, facilitates movement through the site without necessitating entry into the exhibition areas. A central courtyard, housing the café and educational facilities, is situated outside the ticketed zone, ensuring the pavilion operates both as a destination and a connective hub within the zoo's expansive landscape.

The visitor's journey embarks with a descent into the subterranean Earth zone, followed by a gentle ascent along a continuous spiral ramp, meticulously graded at a 5% slope. This path gracefully wraps approximately two and a half times around a central sea lion pool, forming the architectural heart of the structure. Along this immersive route, guests encounter diverse habitats, including the enclosures for spectacled bears, the Antarctic penguin habitats featuring captivating underwater viewing panels, and expansive manatee aquariums where tanks extend overhead. The upper levels host the volcanic giant tortoise enclosures, sheltered beneath an advanced ETFE canopy, alongside double-height habitats designed for spider monkeys and tree kangaroos, and a canopy-level aviary offering treetop perspectives. The culmination of this environmental odyssey is the Future zone, distinguished by its living moss walls, reflective surfaces, tranquil still water features, and capybara habitats.

Integrated throughout the design are sophisticated material and environmental strategies. The facade is meticulously clad in high-density engineered bamboo, thermally treated to enhance its exterior durability and installed as a ventilated rainscreen. Green roofs extend lush planted surfaces across the building's profiles, reinforcing the organic continuity between the architecture and the surrounding landscape. The Earth zone employs earth-sheltering techniques to ensure thermal stability, while the sea lion courtyard incorporates advanced layered acoustic treatments to mitigate sound within the central space. This forward-thinking design not only offers an enriching experience but also exemplifies a commitment to sustainable and thoughtful architectural practice within a zoological context.

This innovative zoological pavilion represents a significant step forward in zoo design, prioritizing animal welfare and an enriching visitor experience through intelligent architectural integration. The seamless blend of natural elements into a continuous journey offers a fresh perspective on how we interact with and understand the diverse ecosystems of our planet. It challenges conventional zoo layouts, fostering a deeper connection between humans and wildlife while emphasizing sustainable design principles. This project serves as an inspiring blueprint for future zoological facilities, demonstrating that architectural ingenuity can harmonize with ecological responsibility to create truly impactful and educational environments.

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