The opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 300,000 sq ft, five-storey development that will also act as the gateway to Exposition Park in the south of Los Angeles, has been pushed back to 2025.
Chinese architect MAD’s design for the museum were unveiled in 2016, and construction began in 2018 with a completion deadline of 2021.
The 11-acre campus will contain galleries, two state-of-the-art theatres and spaces for learning, dining, retail and events.
Despite the rescheduling of the completion date, the museum has announced that façade construction has begun and that 200 trees have been planted in the surrounding park. The façade will be clad in 1,500 curved fibreglass-reinforced polymer panels, each uniquely shaped.
The museum’s central building is envisioned as an extension of the park’s tree canopy, and will offer a gathering space for the central plaza.
Many items have been added to the museum’s collection, including work by historical artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder, Kerry James Marshall, John Singer Sargent and Weshoyot Alvitre. They will join other works, from Roman mosaics to contemporary photography.
Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the museum’s director, said: “It’s humbling and energising to see how all aspects of this new public resource are taking shape.
“We believe that narrative art can connect us and help shape a more just society. As a result, every element of this institution contributes to that idea—the site is one physical manifestation of that.”
Canadian firm Stantec is working as executive architect on the project.
