Frida Escobedo Studio to Expand MALBA Museum Underground
The expansion will double the museum's exhibition space while preserving the public plaza above.
1Underground expansion strategy
Malba's 25th-anniversary expansion will double its exhibition space by building beneath Plaza Perú, designed by Frida Escobedo Studio. The innovative approach preserves the public square above while adding 3,840 square meters underground. The project includes new temporary galleries, an auditorium, and flexible programming spaces, with visual continuity between surface and subterranean levels. Construction is currently in design phase, targeting completion by late 2029 or early 2030.
2Dual-function architectural concept
Escobedo's design reorganizes Malba's operations rather than simply adding space. The underground extension will connect to existing facilities through a mixed-program approach, allowing simultaneous independent events. An auditorium can host evening screenings separate from museum hours, while educational spaces support concurrent activities. This operational flexibility effectively extends the museum's daily capacity beyond physical square footage alone.
3Fifteen-year development timeline
Plans for Malba's expansion originated in 2011 with an initial proposal by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott. Buenos Aires approved the concept in 2012, establishing a 30-year construction window. The current commission brings Escobedo Studio into this long-term project. The Mexican architect, who established her practice in 2006 and expanded to New York in 2022, recently completed the Met's Tang Wing and is collaborating on Centre Pompidou's renovation.
4Spatial integration challenges
The design solves complex urban integration by maintaining Plaza Perú as public space while excavating beneath it. A new courtyard will bring natural light into underground galleries, creating visual connections to the surface. Storage and workshop areas will relocate to the expanded footprint. The solution demonstrates how cultural institutions can grow vertically in dense urban contexts without sacrificing public realm access.
5Programmatic flexibility
Escobedo's scheme decouples museum functions from traditional gallery routes. Film screenings, literary events, and educational programs can operate independently or integrate with exhibitions. This multi-use approach maximizes the new space's utility across different times of day. The design accommodates Malba's evolving role as both art museum and cultural center, reflecting contemporary institutions' need for adaptable spaces.
6Material and light strategy
While specific materials aren't disclosed, the design emphasizes maintaining visual and physical connections between surface and underground levels. The courtyard serves as a light well and spatial anchor, ensuring underground galleries don't feel disconnected. This approach contrasts with typical subterranean expansions that risk creating isolated environments, instead fostering continuity between Malba's existing and new spaces.
7Institutional impact
The expansion positions Malba for its next quarter-century by addressing space constraints that limited programming flexibility. Doubling exhibition capacity allows more comprehensive shows while dedicated education spaces support community engagement. The project demonstrates how mid-career architects like Escobedo are redefining cultural infrastructure through context-sensitive solutions that balance preservation with innovation.
8Urban design precedent
Malba's underground expansion establishes a model for cultural institutions in dense urban areas where lateral growth is impossible. By building downward while preserving public space, the project shows how museums can expand without disrupting city fabric. The design's success could influence future cultural projects in Buenos Aires and other cities facing similar spatial constraints for major institutions.