New Images of MAD's "Spaceship" Lucas Museum Released as Construction Breaks Ground in Los Angeles

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, designed by MAD Architects, has broken ground in Los Angeles, California. Founded by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, and standing at the gateway to the city’s Exposition Park, the scheme is envisioned as a “futuristic spaceship” landing on the site’s natural environment.

The building’s interior has been designed as an expansive, open cave, flooded with natural light from skylights above. At least $400 million worth of art will be housed in the museum, including over 10,000 paintings, illustrations and movie memorabilia. The first floor and roof will be designated as public areas for visitors to exercise, relax, and “directly experience nature in the urban environment."

New Images of MAD's Spaceship Lucas Museum Released as Construction Breaks Ground in Los Angeles - More Images

Courtesy of MAD
Courtesy of MAD

An open city with an inclusive culture, especially innovative buildings, is very important. It is a pleasure to work with the American filmmaker and legend George Lucas on creating a world-class landmark for Los Angeles. We hope that the joint efforts will continue to make Los Angeles the most creative metropolises in the world.
- Ma Yansong, Founder and Principal Architect, MAD

Courtesy of MAD

Having been chosen for the museum’s design in 2014, MAD has provided three unique designs for the $1.5 billion scheme, each responding to three proposed site locations. Having originally unveiled a MAD-designed scheme in Chicago in 2014, Lucas abandoned the plans following concerns over the placement of a private museum on a public lakefront. In 2016, MAD unveiled two similar proposals, one in Los Angeles and one in San Francisco, with the Los Angeles scheme ultimately gaining approval in 2017.

Alluding to this difficult journey at the groundbreaking ceremony, Lucas stated: “I am an avid architectural fan and I wanted a special museum that was a work of art in itself, and [MAD] has done that three times.”

Courtesy of Studio-MLA

It is my feeling that popular art is an insight into a society and what they aspire to; what they really want, what they really are — it is about telling the narrative of their story, their history and their belief system. I believe all kinds of art have a right to exist. I think it’s important to have a museum, that I used to jokingly say, supports all the orphan arts that nobody wants to see, but everybody loves.
- George Lucas, Founder, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

With construction about to begin, the museum is expected to open in 2021.

News via: MAD Architects

Gehry Sides with MAD, Defends Lucas Museum from Critics

With criticism forcing progress on MAD's "mountainous" Lucas Museum to come to a standstill, Frank Gehry has released a statement on the Chicago Tribune urging critics to "take the proper time to review" the museum before dismissing it. "Chicago is a great city for architecture and has historically supported innovative, forward-looking work.

The Architecture of Star Wars: 7 Iconic Structures

Perhaps the most enduring appeal of Star Wars for its fans is not simply its compelling storyline or its dramatic space battles - it is instead that this universe is, in fact, a universe, with all the complexity and depth that entails.

Image gallery

See allShow less
About this author
Cite: Niall Patrick Walsh. "New Images of MAD's "Spaceship" Lucas Museum Released as Construction Breaks Ground in Los Angeles" 15 Mar 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/890808/new-images-of-mads-spaceship-lucas-museum-released-as-construction-breaks-ground-in-los-angeles> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of MAD

MAD“卢卡斯叙事艺术博物馆”,经历万难终于在洛杉矶破土动工

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.