Malba picks architect for expansion that will double its exhibition space
The Buenos Aires museum has selected the Mexican architect Frida Escobedo to lead its ambitious build-out
The Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, known as Malba, has selected Mexican architect Frida Escobedo to design an expansion that will double its exhibition space. The new wing, linking the existing building to a park beneath Plaza Perú, is set to open between late 2029 and early 2030. Malba's founder, Eduardo Costantini, has established a $50m trust to secure the museum's future.
Escobedo, who founded her studio in Mexico City in 2006 and opened an office in New York in 2022, is also working on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Modern and Contemporary art wing and the renovation of Paris' Centre Pompidou. The expansion will feature new galleries for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, multipurpose spaces, workshops, storage areas, a sculpture garden, and new entrances.
Costantini characterized Escobedo's design as seamlessly integrating the two buildings and enhancing the museum's connection with the city. The museum hopes to grow the $50m Malba Art Trust, initially funded by Costantini, by attracting other donors from Argentina and abroad. The expansion is still in early design stages, with construction expected to commence in 2027.
The museum's governance will also see a shift, with members of the Costantini family becoming a minority on the board. The museum's 25th anniversary celebrations include a fundraising gala and a Frida Kahlo exhibition, as well as an international symposium featuring notable figures in the art world.
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