Architecture News

See Finalist Concepts From 'LACMA Not LackMA' Ideas Competition

By Miriam Sitz

01-Citizens-Brigade_LACMA-Not-LackMA_Coop-Himmelblau_003_cp_4K.jpg — **“LACMA Wing” by Coop Himmelb(l)au, Vienna**

Emphasizing “an architecture that combines functionality with aspiration,” Coop Himmelb(l)au designed three main elements: landscape plinth and two, three-level “floating” gallery wings. Public circulation on ramps connecting the volumes would be encased by expressive amorphous forms whose openness to the outside refreshes the museum visiting experience. These public spaces are accessible without a ticket to the museum, but windows into the galleries are meant to entice people inside. The jury appreciated the curatorial flexibility of generous gallery spaces, with 22-foot floor-to-ceiling heights, the possibility of mezzanines and intimate galleries, and open floor plates. “This entry combines issues of great efficiency with moments of drama,” noted the jury. “The ‘bubbles’ offer exciting spaces that celebrate the public realm while connecting to straightforward, practical, functional galleries in the wings.”

02-Citizens-Brigade_LACMA-Not-LackMA_Coop-Himmelblau_interior.jpg — **“LACMA Wing” by Coop Himmelb(l)au, Vienna**

LACMA — **“Unified Campus” by Paul Murdoch Architects, Los Angeles**

After a month-long "protest competition," the Citizens' Brigade to Save LACMA has released six finalist designs for alternatives to Swiss architect Peter Zumthor's contentious scheme for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

United around their opposition to the museum's planned structure, which has long been the focus of inflamed public controversy, the group invited concepts that "correct major shortcomings" of Zumthor's design. “Our call for ideas was to open and make public what has been a closed process, and to present alternatives that inspire and show a way forward for a LACMA that is improved, fresh, and practical, not reduced and compromised,” said says architecture critic (and frequent contributor to RECORD) Joseph Giovannini, co-chair of the Brigade.

“This collection of six designs represents the ideas the jury found most compelling,” added writer and curator Greg Goldin, another co-chair of Brigade. “We are not proposing any one of them be built as-is, but that the public, the museum board, and the County Board of Supervisors view them as inspirations to consider alternatives that truly capture people’s eyes, hearts, and minds, and showcase the collections in a practical and architecturally stimulating environment that embodies—rather than usurps—LACMA’s purpose and spirit.” The finalist firms will each receive $1,500.

Members of the public can review the designs and cast their vote for two "people's choice" winners, which will take home an additional $500 prize, at www.saveLACMA.org.

Scroll through the slideshow above to see all the designs, and read more about the competition and opposition to Zumthor's design.

KEYWORDS: LACMA Los Angeles

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Miriam Sitz was a staff writer and editor for Architectural Record from 2015 to 2020, during which time she served as the web editor, then senior news & web editor.