Foster + Partners has been announced as the Design Architect of a new renovation of the 97-year-old San Diego Museum of Art following a comprehensive search.

Located in Balboa Park, the museum will add a new education center and welcome pavilion through the delivery of the project, which focuses on its west wing. Renovations will make it more sustainable and better suited to serve San Diego’s increasingly diverse population while enhancing the museum’s facilities and visitor experience overall. LPA Design Studio, which has an office in San Diego, has signed on as the Architect of Record.

“I have always admired San Diego’s rich cultural diversity and deep sense of community. We are delighted to be working with The San Diego Museum of Art to strengthen its roots in the area, reinvigorating a much-loved landmark with the ultimate aim of making art more accessible to the community.”

Deference for the historical importance of Balboa Park was reportedly a main factor in the firm’s unanimous selection, along with its extensive past experience in the design of art museums around the world. 

In a press statement, the museum’s CEO Roxana Velásquez said: “Their proven experience and high respect for historical sites made Foster + Partners a great fit. Our shared vision is that this project will feature free access to open art spaces for the public and increase educational opportunities for the community. Foster + Partners’ impressive expertise, combined with their commitment to community engagement, will help us create a space that makes art more accessible to everyone and, simultaneously, is functional in design and fit for the next 100 years.”

The museum says it plans to organize a community-based feedback process during the design phase. Further information about the project will be shared as they are made available by the firm. Foster + Partners expects construction to begin sometime in the year 2026.