Peter Zumthor Defends LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries and Reflects on Los Angeles’ Influence
In a recent interview, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor addressed longstanding criticisms of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new David Geffen Galleries. Speaking from his studio in Switzerland, Zumthor explained that the building’s raw concrete aesthetic is a deliberate rejection of the overly slick, corporate architecture prevalent today. He described the construction process as akin to creating a large-scale sculpture, emphasizing handmade elements and accepting imperfections as part of the material's identity. Zumthor highlighted how his experience in Los Angeles transformed his architectural practice, teaching him to value directness and freshness over excessive refinement. He noted that while museum director Michael Govan initially requested fewer European details, Zumthor successfully integrated an American-style roughness that he now incorporates into his global work. The architect argued that the era of glossy, mistake-free design is over, advocating instead for emotional experience and wholehearted directness in institutional spaces. This perspective underscores his ambition to dissolve traditional circulation patterns within the museum, prioritizing visitor engagement over rigid institutional order.
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Peter Zumthor Defends LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries and Reflects on Los Angeles’ Influence
In a recent interview, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor addressed longstanding criticisms of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new David Geffen Galleries. Speaking from his studio in Switzerland, Zumthor explained that the building’s raw concrete aesthetic is a deliberate rejection of the overly slick, corporate architecture prevalent today. He described the construction process as akin to creating a large-scale sculpture, emphasizing handmade elements and accepting imperfections as part of the material's identity. Zumthor highlighted how his experience in Los Angeles transformed his architectural practice, teaching him to value directness and freshness over excessive refinement. He noted that while museum director Michael Govan initially requested fewer European details, Zumthor successfully integrated an American-style roughness that he now incorporates into his global work. The architect argued that the era of glossy, mistake-free design is over, advocating instead for emotional experience and wholehearted directness in institutional spaces. This perspective underscores his ambition to dissolve traditional circulation patterns within the museum, prioritizing visitor engagement over rigid institutional order.
latimes