The Broad view

The paradox of most museums is that the majority of their inventory never sees the light of day. Conscious of this, architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro and designer Gensler used a ‘veil and vault’ concept to inform their design for philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad’s new museum for modern art.

Home to almost 2,000 examples of modern art, including works by Jeff Koons and Roy Lichtenstein, the architects wanted the museum to be more than a glorified storage space for The Broad Art Foundation. 

Rather than conceal the building’s interior, the vault is enveloped by a porous, honeycomb-like structure that filters natural daylight into the exhibition spaces within, elegantly raised in the corners, inviting guests into the central lobby.

The Big Picture: Museums are big business. Savvy luxury brands are taking a more central role in curating culture, shifting their focus from heritage to legacy. Find out more in our Museum Market report.