David Geffen Galleries: LACMA's New Architectural Icon
Art, Architecture
The David Geffen Galleries: A New Chapter for LACMA
The David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art mark a bold reinvention of what an encyclopedic museum can be in the 21st century.
A Landmark of Modern Architecture
Designed as a low, sweeping structure that appears to float above Wilshire Boulevard, the Geffen Galleries embody modern architecture with a distinctly Los Angeles sensibility. Expansive glass walls invite daylight into the galleries, while soft, neutral materials keep the focus on the art. Elevated walkways connect different wings, offering shifting perspectives of both the collection and the city beyond.
Instead of a traditional vertical museum tower, the building stretches horizontally, creating a relaxed, pavilion-like experience that mirrors the openness of Southern California itself.
Fluid, open galleries encourage visitors to move freely between cultures, eras, and ideas.
A New Era for LACMA
The David Geffen Galleries signal a new era for the institution —not only in appearance, but in philosophy. Flexible gallery layouts allow curators to mix artworks across geography and time, reflecting how people actually experience culture today. Rotating installations mean the museum’s vast collection can be seen in fresh, unexpected juxtapositions.
For visitors, this transformation feels like an invitation: to wander, to linger, and to see Los Angeles—and the world’s art history—with renewed curiosity and clarity. Read on:
