Herzog & de Meuron to Transform Birkenstock Warehouse into Eames Museum
The former California industrial campus will become a cultural destination by 2030.
1Adaptive Reuse Strategy
Herzog & de Meuron is repurposing a former Birkenstock warehouse in Novato, California, into the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity. The project preserves the site's iconic hyperbolic paraboloid concrete roof, originally designed by Jan Lubicz-Nycz. By maintaining this sculptural silhouette, the architects ensure the building itself serves as a primary exhibition piece.
2Structural Engineering Legacy
The warehouse features a unique roof structure developed with engineer Raj Desai, utilizing geometry to span large distances with minimal material. This industrial design creates a sequence of dramatic pointed edges. The museum's interior organization keeps this roof geometry visible, allowing visitors to experience an experiment in construction before viewing any collections.
3Interior Spatial Organization
The design introduces a steel-clad bridge with a reflective finish, creating an elevated route that contrasts with the heavy concrete canopy. An entrance court is carved into an existing earth berm to frame the approach. Building services and lighting are integrated into the ceiling to minimize clutter beneath the expansive peaks.
4Integrating Creative Process
The museum program emphasizes the 'messy' reality of creation by placing wood and ceramic workshops alongside flexible exhibition galleries. This layout allows visitors to witness how objects are made, not just finished works. The collecting strategy spans industrial design, painting, and sculpture, reflecting the Eames legacy of experimentation across multiple creative generations.
5Landscape and Thresholds
Field Operations is designing the 88-acre site, connecting ten distinct gardens through paths featuring native species like manzanita and California poppy. Recessed glass façades at the northern and southern edges create deep, covered thresholds. These areas transform former loading zones into functional outdoor spaces for communal events, play, and quiet reflection.
6Regional Ecological Context
The landscaping strategy avoids a uniform backdrop, instead drawing inspiration from Marin County’s diverse habitats, ranging from woodland to coastal prairie. By integrating these local ecosystems, the grounds become a core part of the visitor experience. This approach ensures the museum functions as a cultural destination rooted specifically in its Californian environment.
7Project Timeline and Milestones
Following the Institute’s acquisition of the property in 2025, the masterplan has been submitted to the City of Novato. Major construction is scheduled to commence in 2028. The project team, including executive architect EHDD, is working toward a target opening date in 2030, marking a significant transformation for the historic campus.
8Broader Cultural Impact
This project elevates the former McGraw-Hill campus into a public cultural institution. By blending historical industrial architecture with contemporary landscape design and active workshops, the museum redefines the role of a design archive. It positions the Eames legacy within a broader, experimental framework that invites public engagement with the creative process.