Get ready for a game-changer in the art world: Peter Zumthor’s revolutionary David Geffen Galleries are set to redefine Los Angeles’ cultural landscape when they open at LACMA in April 2026. But here’s where it gets controversial—this isn’t just another museum expansion; it’s a bold reimagining of how art is displayed, experienced, and understood. After two decades of transformation, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is unveiling a 274-meter-long, fluid concrete masterpiece that spans Wilshire Boulevard, offering 10,220 square meters of exhibition space. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, the building isn’t just a structure—it’s a statement, elevating the museum’s presence in the city with its innovative design and elevated piers. But is this architectural marvel too avant-garde for its own good? Some might argue it’s a masterpiece, while others could see it as a departure from traditional museum aesthetics. What do you think?
The galleries, named after media mogul David Geffen in recognition of his $150 million donation, will serve as LACMA’s primary home for its permanent collection. Access is a breeze, thanks to a network of floating staircases and elevators connecting both sides of Wilshire Boulevard. The north wing, named the Elaine Wynn Wing after a $50 million donation, anchors the project, while the south wing awaits its namesake. And this is the part most people miss—the inaugural installation isn’t organized by medium or chronology. Instead, it’s framed around the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, along with the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting themes of exchange, migration, and commerce across cultures and eras. Is this a brilliant way to break down artistic silos, or does it risk losing the context of individual works? Let’s debate!
Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects from LACMA’s collection will be on display at any given time, spanning 6,000 years of art history. Highlights include masterpieces by Georges de La Tour, Henri Matisse, Francis Bacon, and Vincent van Gogh, alongside new commissions by contemporary artists like Todd Gray, Lauren Halsey, and Diana Thater. On April 22, 2026, Zumthor himself will join LACMA CEO Michael Govan for a conversation as part of The Genesis Talks, celebrating the museum’s evolution. ‘This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our community,’ Govan notes, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the project.
Beyond the galleries, the project reconnects LACMA with Hancock Park, adding 14,164 square meters of outdoor space for public art and programming. Works by Mariana Castillo Deball, Pedro Reyes, and Shio Kusaka will unfold across the seasons, while Jeff Koons’s Split-Rocker—a living sculpture of plants and flowers—will bloom in the spring. Iconic pieces like Tony Smith’s Smoke and Alexander Calder’s Three Quintains will also return, anchoring the museum’s identity. Amenities like the LACMA Store, Café, and W.M. Keck Education Center will open in phases, starting in April and May 2026.
This opening marks the culmination of a 20-year expansion strategy that has nearly doubled LACMA’s exhibition space from 12,080 to 20,440 square meters. With over 150,000 objects in its collection, LACMA remains the largest art museum in the western U.S., but the David Geffen Galleries reposition it as more than just a display site—they frame Los Angeles as a lens through which global art histories intersect. Is this the future of museums, or a risky departure from tradition? Share your thoughts below—we want to hear from you!
