Collection by Erika Heet

Not to Be Missed: Peter Zumthor Reimagines LACMA

It’s been the talk of L.A. since the design was revealed in June: the Pritzker Prize–winning Swiss architect’s amoebic reinterpretation of the east campus of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). If you are unable to see the LACMA exhibition dedicated to the design before it closes September 15, here are a few shots from the show, and background about the proposed project.

Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has been commissioned to rethink the east campus, providing new insight into the meaning and function of an encyclopedic museum and the relationship of architecture to its site. To make way for the new building, gone would be the Ahmanson, Hammer, and Art of the Americas buildings, as well as the Bing Center, in essence trading one form of modernist architecture for another.

Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has been commissioned to rethink the east campus, providing new insight into the meaning and function of an encyclopedic museum and the relationship of architecture to its site. To make way for the new building, gone would be the Ahmanson, Hammer, and Art of the Americas buildings, as well as the Bing Center, in essence trading one form of modernist architecture for another. Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
This angle shows the new building in relation to artist Chris Burden’s existing Urban Light installation, which now defines the street entrance to the museum.

Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
This angle shows the new building in relation to artist Chris Burden’s existing Urban Light installation, which now defines the street entrance to the museum. Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
An elevation model exemplifies how the different floors might eventually hold the museum’s permanent collection.

Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
An elevation model exemplifies how the different floors might eventually hold the museum’s permanent collection. Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
From one angle, a symmetrical portion of the building appears to fan out like the wings of a butterfly. 

Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
From one angle, a symmetrical portion of the building appears to fan out like the wings of a butterfly. Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
From above, one can view how the building might interact with the La Brea Tar Pits; one corner, in fact, cantilevers over the Lake Pit. While the design is conjectured to have been inspired by the pits, its potential effect on them is already a point of discussion. Ultimately, it may not be a question of what rises above in this design, but what lies beneath.

Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA
From above, one can view how the building might interact with the La Brea Tar Pits; one corner, in fact, cantilevers over the Lake Pit. While the design is conjectured to have been inspired by the pits, its potential effect on them is already a point of discussion. Ultimately, it may not be a question of what rises above in this design, but what lies beneath. Installation view, The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor reconsiders LACMA, June 9–September 15, 2013. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo ©2013 Museum Associates/LACMA