Two-Decade Long Hammer Museum Transformation Comes to Fruition

After a two-decade long journey with the Hammer Museum and Michael Maltzan Architecture, the MATT team is celebrating a major milestone with the completion of the Hammer Museum’s Master Plan. The museum premiered its final phase of the expansion and renovations at the end of March, including a brand-new main entrance, expanded galleries, and a new outdoor sculpture terrace.

The Hammer Museum’s renovation and expansion has included the integration of 40,000 square feet of additional museum space, 60% of which provides more gallery space. This milestone celebrates the culmination of a phased multi-year process that allowed the museum to stay fully functional and operational during construction. The crew has worked under tight deadlines coordinating night shifts to accommodate the active museum’s busy schedule and minimize disruption to ongoing events and exhibits.

“Constructing around an operating museum has its challenges, and most of the work is performed during off-hours. Our critical path is preparing for and working around exhibits with minimal disruption to the public, and above all, delivering the high-quality work that the Hammer Museum expects,” says Jeff Jarrett, Vice President at MATT Construction who has been the project executive leading the many phases of the Hammer Museum project.

The master plan project initiatives included:

1. Adding Visibility: Dramatic new presence along a full block on Wilshire Boulevard
2. Expanded Galleries: 60% more gallery space for artists and exhibitions
3. Showcasing the Collection: Premier facilities for L.A.’s 3^rd largest collection
4. Building Community: 20,000 square feet of enhanced public spaces
5. Supporting the Mission: Two-story expansion of office and support space

To premiere the new space, the Hammer Museum is currently presenting the largest display to date of its collection.

You can read the full extent of MATT’s involvement in the Hammer Museum’s transformation here and watch an overview of the museum’s transformation here.

“Over the years, it’s been an excellent collaboration with the Hammer Museum, Michael Maltzan Architecture, and MATT Construction,” says Jarrett.