Plans to Level LACMA Spark Debate

Michael Govan is the enterprising Director of Los Angeles County’s Museum of Art. He wants to tear down four of LACMA’s seven current buildings and replace them with one, very unusual structure. It’s a one-story, dark monolith, with blob-like contours inspired by the La Brea Tar Pits. Govan’s second version of the plan, designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, would ooze away from the Tar Pits themselves and cross Wilshire Boulevard. It might include a mixed-used tower which might be designed by Frank Gehry.