CHICAGO—The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has just chosen a set of architects to design the its lakefront site, and although founder George Lucas picked Beijing-based MAD Architects as the principal designer, he did not ignore Chicago's deep pool of architectural talent. Chicago-based Studio Gang was chosen to design the landscape and create a bridge to connect the LMNA to Northerly Island.
Many people have expressed skepticism that the city's Museum Campus is the place for a museum partly dedicated to the mythology of the “Star Wars” films, but Lucas has sought to calm those fears by making it clear that LMNA would, as its name implies, showcase a collection that goes far beyond the movies. And by choosing this group of architects, he may also want to assure the skeptics that the building will have aesthetic qualities that make it worthy of its prominent site.
“We are bringing together some of the top architects in the world to ensure that our museum experience begins long before a visitor ever enters the building,” Lucas said. “I am thrilled with the architectural team's vision for the building and the surrounding green space. I look forward to presenting our design to the Chicago community.”
Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD Architects, will take responsibility for the design and overall concept. Projects designed by Ma include Absolute Towers in Ontario, Canada, the Ordos Museum in Ordos, China and Chaoyang Park Plaza in Beijing, China.
“It is a gift to be able to design the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in a city so rich with architectural history,” said Ma, a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture. “I am humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to create a timeless design that moves and inspires people just like Mr. Lucas' collection.”
Studio Gang's Jeanne Gang, who has spent the past four years transforming Northerly Island from an airport runway to a park, will design the bridge and lead the landscape design for the museum. Chicago-based VOA Associates will serve as the executive architect and implement MAD's design.
“In keeping with the Northerly Island ethos, our design goal will be to create a combined ecological and urban habitat,” said Gang.
The partners will unveil their design for the LMNA in late 2014.
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Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
