toyo ito's berkley art museum won't go ahead

berkley art museum and the pacific film archive by toyo ito image courtesy toyo ito architects

what would have been the first U.S. project for japanese architect toyo ito, is no longer. this week the university of california, berkley announced that it will not go ahead with ito’s plans for the berkley art museum and the pacific film archive.

in 2006 toyo ito and associates were given the task of designing the new museum. ito’s plans for the berkley art museum and the pacific film archive were met with critical support and efforts were underway to raise private funds to pay for most of the 200 million USD campaign.

however, due to the current economic climate, modifying the project’s proposed scope and expense by moving on to a new design, is the only way to ensure it remains on track, university and museum leaders said.

‘we will create a remarkable new home for the museum. i’m confident we will find an innovative and affordable solution that advances our mission to inspire the imagination through art and film.’ lawrence rinder, the director of the berkley art museum and the pacific film archive.

several concepts for a new the berkley art museum and the pacific film archive home are under way and plans are expected to be unveiled early next year.

image courtesy toyo ito architects

image courtesy toyo ito architects

site plan image courtesy toyo ito architects

the three storey building divided into various gallery spaces image courtesy toyo ito architects

image courtesy toyo ito architects

image courtesy toyo ito architects

model of berkley art museum and the pacific film archive image courtesy toyo ito architects