Museums Opening in 2026

FECHA

22.01.2026

One of the most talked-about projects is the expansion of the New Museum of New York, designed by OMA. The intervention engages directly with the original SANAA building, opting for a clear, assertive architecture that is highly aware of its urban context. Rather than competing with what already exists, the extension seeks to complement the museum and reinforce its role as a platform for contemporary art, incorporating new exhibition and public spaces that expand its relationship with the city.

Among the most anticipated openings is Zhejiang University Art Museum in Hangzhou, China. Designed by David Chipperfield, the museum aims to integrate modernity with the surrounding landscape, offering a space for reflection within a city that is setting trends in contemporary art. Chipperfield’s fluid and elegant structure will undoubtedly make it a must-visit destination.

In Japan, attention is focused on MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, designed by Kengo Kuma. This museum forms part of a high-tech urban complex and proposes a more introspective architecture, where the idea of “narrative” is translated into both content and space. True to his approach, Kuma opts for a sensitive architecture in which materials, scale and the relationship with the surroundings create an experience that is more atmospheric than iconic.

In a completely different register is the long-awaited Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry. After years of development, the museum is conceived as one of the key pieces of the Saadiyat Island cultural district. The project maintains Gehry’s signature sculptural language, adapted to the climate and scale of the site, with fragmented volumes, large canopies and a very direct relationship between architecture, light and landscape. Its opening will mark a new chapter in the global expansion of the Guggenheim network.

Continuing with this family of museums, one of the most anticipated projects is the Guggenheim Museum Helsinki, scheduled to open in 2026. Designed by Moreau Kusunoki, the museum will stand out for its organic structure, which blends seamlessly with the city’s harbour landscape.

Finally, in China, the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by BIG, promises to be one of the most significant openings on the Asian architectural scene. The project combines Suzhou’s landscape tradition with a highly recognisable contemporary language, integrating architecture, public space and nature into a single operation. As is often the case with BIG’s projects, the museum is conceived not only as a container for art, but as an active place, designed to be explored and inhabited.

In 2026, if you are passionate about art and architecture, there will certainly be plenty of reasons to plan a trip.

MARCH VALENCIA | ARQUITECTURA Y DISEÑO

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