LA's Concrete 'Mothership' Museum Sparks Debate Over Carbon Cost
LA's new David Geffen Galleries, designed by Peter Zumthor and costing about $724 million, rise as a monumental 110,000 sq ft concrete structure over Wilshire. Celebrated for its bold, signature architecture, the project is also controversial for its environmental impact, using about 15,000 tonnes of steel and 65,000 cubic metres of concrete, prompting questions about whether the cultural payoff justifies the carbon footprint, while Zumthor defends its long‑term durability.