There are thousands of museums the world over, and choosing only a handful of stand-out designs was not an easy task. Regardless of what each museum is dedicated to, these 11 caught our attention from the get-go.
COMPILED BY Lindi Brownell Meiring PHOTOS Iwan Baan (Louis Vuitton); Adriaan Louw (Hapo Freedom Park Museum); hok.com (Salvador Dalí Museum); libeskind.com (Royal Ontario Museum and Denver Art Museum)
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
WHERE Bilbao, Spain | DESIGNED BY Frank Gehry | DATE COMPLETED 1997
An icon of contemporary architecture, this titanium-clad masterpiece redefined Bilbao’s skyline and transformed the city into a cultural hotspot. Its flowing, organic forms are as dynamic as the world-class art it houses.
Nestlé Chocolate Museum
WHERE Mexico City, Mexico | DESIGNED BY Rojkind Arquitectos | DATE COMPLETED 2007
With its striking, futuristic façade, this museum celebrates chocolate’s rich history through a playful and interactive design. The folded metallic exterior mirrors the sweet surprises awaiting inside.
Zeitz MOCAA
WHERE Cape Town, South Africa | DESIGNED BY Thomas Heatherwick | DATE COMPLETED 2017
This marvel repurposes a century-old grain silo into Africa’s largest museum dedicated to contemporary art. Its central feature, a carved-out atrium, creates a dazzling display of light and space.
Fondation Louis Vuitton
WHERE Paris, France | DESIGNED BY Frank Gehry | DATE COMPLETED 2014
Shaped like a glassy, billowing sail, this avant-garde building showcases Gehry’s signature daring aesthetic. The museum is a modern art haven and a testament to Paris’s architectural innovation.
//Hapo Freedom Park Museum
WHERE Salvokop, Pretoria | DESIGNED BY GAPP Architects and Urban Designers, Mashabane Rose Associates, MMA Architects | DATE COMPLETED 2011
The //Hapo Freedom Park Museum is a poignant tribute to South Africa’s freedom struggle, merging symbolic design with lush landscapes. Its clean, modern lines create a space for reflection and remembrance.
Museo Soumaya (Plaza Carso)
WHERE Mexico City, Mexico | DESIGNED BY Fernando Romero | DATE COMPLETED 2014
With its undulating aluminium-clad surface, this futuristic museum is a striking visual centrepiece. Its collection of art and artefacts rivals its architectural boldness.
Salvador Dalí Museum
WHERE Florida, USA | DESIGNED BY Yann Weymouth/HOK | DATE COMPLETED 2011
This surrealist structure reflects Dalí’s artistic legacy with its blend of geometric glass and organic concrete forms. It’s an imaginative portal to the world of one of art’s great masters.
Royal Ontario Museum (The Crystal)
WHERE Toronto, Canada | DESIGNED BY Daniel Libeskind | DATE COMPLETED 2007
This angular, crystalline extension boldly contrasts with the original building’s historic façade. It houses a treasure trove of artefacts, celebrating the old and new in one dynamic space.
Stedelijk Museum
WHERE Amsterdam, The Netherlands | DESIGNED BY Benthem Crouwel Architects | DATE COMPLETED 2012
Nicknamed “the bathtub” for its unique shape, this sleek white extension elevates the museum’s role in showcasing modern and contemporary art. Its design is as playful as the exhibits inside.
Niterói Contemporary Art Museum
WHERE Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | DESIGNED BY Oscar Niemeyer | DATE COMPLETED 1996
Perched dramatically on a cliffside, this UFO-like structure is a masterpiece of modernist design. Its sweeping curves and panoramic views make it an unforgettable cultural landmark.
Denver Art Museum (Frederic C. Hamilton extension)
WHERE Colorado, USA | DESIGNED BY Daniel Libeskind and Davis Partnership Architects | DATE COMPLETED 2006
Inspired by the rugged Rocky Mountains, this angular, titanium-clad building exudes a sense of movement and boldness. Its jagged edges perfectly frame the dynamic art within.
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