The futuristic Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles is now complete! It will open to the public in September, showcasing over 1,300 selected works from the vast collection of George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, including paintings, illustrations, comics, photographs and ‘Star Wars’ memorabilia. Ma Yansong of MAD Architects is responsible for the design of this extraordinary building.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art resembles a cloud
Construction began in March 2018 at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. The futuristic structure covers an area of approximately 28,000 square metres and has been designed to resemble an organic form floating above the park. Architect Ma Yansong drew inspiration from tree canopies, amongst other things, when creating this structure. This unusual form has made it possible to create a substantial public space beneath the building. At its centre is a huge arch with a span of around 56 metres, and the sky can be seen through a large opening in the structure.
Over 1,200 panels on the façade
The most distinctive feature of the entire building, apart from its shape, is its white façade. It is clad with over 1,270 individually shaped panels made of glass-fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP). This material allowed for the smooth curves of the entire structure whilst keeping its weight to a minimum. The construction also utilised steel, concrete, glass and GFRC (glass-fibre-reinforced concrete). A team of over 150 architects, engineers and designers worked on the project. The entire building cost a staggering total of 1 billion dollars.
Over 30 galleries at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
There are over 30 galleries spread across more than 9,200 square metres of exhibition space. The museum also features two cinema theatres, a library, educational workshops, a café, a shop and the Skywalker Grill restaurant. The entire complex covers an impressive total of 5.3 hectares. Where the car park once stood, a park has been created featuring over 200 trees, gardens, rest areas and spaces designed for various types of events. Greenery is an extremely important element of the design – the boundary between the museum and the surrounding Exposition Park is very fluid.
The collection comprises over 40,000 items
The Lucas Museum will not be a ‘Star Wars’ museum. George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, have created an institution dedicated to a much broader theme centred on the art of storytelling – that is, works that tell stories. The entire collection comprises over 40,000 items in total: ranging from paintings and photographs to comic books, illustrations, posters, murals and film props. The artists represented include Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, Jack Kirby and Banksy. There will also be plenty of material related to Lucas’s work. Props and designs from *Star Wars* will take up around 7 per cent of the gallery’s floor space.
A 17-year wait for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The history of the project began over a dozen years ago. Initially, Lucas wanted to build the museum in Chicago; later, he considered San Francisco. Ultimately, he chose Los Angeles, and construction began in 2018. The original opening date was much earlier, but the project was delayed by, amongst other things, the pandemic and supply chain issues. After more than eight years of work, the futuristic building is finally complete. On 22 September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will open its doors to the public, showcasing over 1,300 unique works of art. It seems that Los Angeles has gained a new landmark!
Design:Ma Yansong – MAD
Source:Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Photographs: Iwan Baan and Hufton Crow
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