The new David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art stand as one of the most ambitious museum construction projects in the United States, combining architectural innovation with advanced façade engineering. Designed by renowned architect Peter Zumthor, the building features a striking 52,000-square-foot glass-and-brass façade engineered and delivered by seele Group.

The elevated structure stretches across Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles and is supported by seven sculptural concrete pavilions. This distinctive design allows the main gallery level to appear as if it is floating above the city, creating uninterrupted sightlines and panoramic views of the surrounding urban landscape.

The façade system consists of a steel substructure combined with large-format insulating glass units. Several of the glass panels exceed 26 feet (8 meters) in height, presenting significant engineering and installation challenges. Due to the building’s organic floor plan and curved geometry, the façade incorporates both straight and curved glass elements, requiring extensive customization during fabrication.

A key performance feature is the use of high-performance low-emissivity (low-E) glass coatings. These coatings help minimize ultraviolet radiation and solar heat gain, protecting valuable artworks while contributing to the building’s energy efficiency.

One of the project’s most distinctive architectural details is the integration of extruded brass cladding on the load-bearing façade components. The brass profiles measure up to 0.6 inches (15 mm) thick and reach lengths of approximately 28 feet (8.5 meters), matching the dimensions of the adjacent glass units. Beyond their visual impact, the brass elements provide durability and reinforce the building’s sophisticated appearance.