Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano's firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) has released new images for the new moviemaking centre of the Academy Museum, which is currently under construction in the area of the museum's campus in Miracle Mile, Los Angeles.

Called The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Piano's project will redevelop the former 1938 May Company Department Store building, which was recently named the Saban Building on Wilshire Boulevard. 

Piano's new images show that the architect adds a distinctive spherical addition on the north side of the building, built in 1946, and it will be replaced with a 'bubble-formed' sphere, which will house a 1,000-seat theatre and a terrace with views towards Hollywood.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S./ Images from L’Autre Image

The 300,000-square-foot (27,870-square-metre) museum will feature more than 50,000 square feet (4,645-square-metre) of gallery space for both a highly immersive permanent exhibition and a schedule of diverse temporary exhibitions, two film and performance theaters, a state-of-the-art education studio, and dynamic spaces for public and special events.

"The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will be the world’s premier institution devoted to exploring the art and science of movies and moviemaking. Visitors to the museum will experience the magic of cinema and the creative, collaborative process of filmmaking through the lens of those who make it," said the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in its statement.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S./ Images from L’Autre Image 

The project received a $50 million landmark donation from philanthropists Cheryl and Haim Saban, as announced the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in September. With this commitment, announced as the largest gift to the Academy Museum Campaign, it brings the museum's fundraising success to $288 million, nearly 75% of its $388 million goal.

"We could not be happier with the momentum the museum is experiencing on all fronts—from fundraising and governance to content and construction. We are thankful to Cheryl and Haim Saban and to Ron Meyer for their vital support and leadership in bringing the Academy Museum to the world," said Kerry Brougher, Director of the Academy Museum.

Brougher has three essential goals: "to convey the power of movies, to give viewers a look behind the scenes into how movies are made, and to explore movies' impact on culture and our lives."

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S./ Images from L’Autre Image

The Museum further announced that Ron Meyer, the distinguished entertainment industry executive, will head its newly established Board of Trustees. Meyer is Vice Chairman of NBCUniversal and with 23 years as the head of the studio, he is the longest serving studio chief. He is also a co-founder and former President of Creative Artists Agency. 

Ron Meyer said that "I am proud, and humbled, to chair and build the Academy Museum’s new Board of Trustees. The museum has already made great strides in raising funds and developing plans for what will become an essential cultural destination for Los Angeles. It is an honor to be part of such a significant project."

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.

In addition to an immersive gallery space in the sphere, the buildings will include two theatres (a smaller 288-seat auditorium will host screenings), cutting-edge project spaces, an outdoor piazza, the rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills, an active education studio, a restaurant, and store.

Dawn Hudson, CEO of the Academy, said: "the millions of people around the world who make and love movies will be able to come to the epicenter of filmmaking and experience the magic of this art form. They'll see firsthand the vast collections of the Academy and the work of our members. And, they'll be able to do that all year—not just on Oscar night."

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.

Piano's proposal creates a perceivable dialogue between the existing building ('gravitas') and the new extension ('levitas') will emerge and with it, a discourse between shadow and light, heaviness and weightlessness.

The Academy Museum details the interior spaces in the statement and said that "the 1,000-seat theater located in the spherical building will not only be an unforgettable part of each visitor’s experience, but will also become a hub for major film events including premieres, openings and special presentations with the world’s leading filmmakers." 

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.

A more intimate 288-seat theater will be the museum’s "cinematheque," offering screenings ranging from Saturday morning matinees for children of all ages to global cinema series. 

Both theaters will be home to an array of live performances, lectures, panels, and other events that will bring the most notable artists working in film to Los Angeles. Both theaters will be equipped to present film with multidimensional sound experiences and superior screen quality.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.

Image courtesy of Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Recent photos from RPBW's website show the major structural part of the sphere is almost complete, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is expected to open to the public in 2019.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/ Image © A.M.P.A.S.

Image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/ Image © A.M.P.A.S.

RPBW first unveiled conceptual images in 2012 and the studio has built several projects in the US, including the Columbia University's new Manhattanville campus, the Whitney Museum of American Art at Gansevoort, and California Academy of Sciences are just a few of them. 

Top image © Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©A.M.P.A.S./ Images from L’Autre Image

> via RPBW/ The Academy Museum