It seems that every historical building that's associated with art or history is getting a contemporary makeover these days. Many people are against modernizing historical buildings, saying it ruins the aesthic and heritage appeal of them, while others celebrate the change. Whichever side of the fence you stand on, you will surely marvel at some of these uber-modern museums.
With their awkward shapes and angles, these uber-modern museums often prove to draw more visitors for themselves than what's contained inside their walls.
18 Uber-Modern Museums
18
Tidal Wave Architecture
Tsunami Museum is Covered in Water Walls, Filled With History
17
Iconic Museum Makeovers
Plans Revealed for Upgrade of London's Tate Modern
16
Eco Museums
San Francisco's Academy of Sciences
15
Nestle Chocolate Museum
Sweet Mexican Factory
14
Drive-In Museums
China's Automobile Museum Never Makes You Get Out of the Car
13
Outrageous Architecture Contests
UK Narrows Down Final Designs for Imperial War Museum
12
Pleated Metal Architecture
The Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum by Zaha Hadid
11
Sinuous Ribbon Museums
Winding Layers of Steel Craft the Design Museum Holon
10
Bubble Popping Buildings
The Hirshhorn Museum Creates an Air of Lightness
9
Egg Cup Architecture
Check Out the Soumaya Museum in Mexico City by Lar & Fernando Romero
8
Reflective Ribbon Architecture
The PRISM by Marcelo Spina is Translucent at Night
7
Multi-Cultural Projects in Dubai
Museum of Middle East Modern Art
6
Tunneled Art Museums
The Museum Liaunig Takes Artistry Underground
5
Multi-Color Museums
Modern Art is Somewhere Over the Rainbow at Brandhorst Museum
4
Spherical Latticed Structures
The Rizhao Urban Planning Museum is Filled With Light
3
Art Wrapped Architecture
'Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation' on Side of Hong Kong Museum
2
Wal-Mart Art Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
1
Ribbon-Wrapped Architecture
New Ron Arad Design Museum to Open Soon in Israel
Related Ideas
Museum-Inspired High-Fashion Stores
Erdem Opens Its Second Retail Location in London
Modern Cultural Institutions
Centre SANAAQ Opened in Montreal's Peter-Mcgill District
Playful Children's Library Designs
Studio Vapore Creates a Whimsical Children's Library
Universal Icon Exhibitions
The Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs Explores Language Without Words
Historically Inspired Modern Homes
MU Architecture Balances Historic Charm & Modern Sensibilities
Shoe Craft Heritage Museums
Shoemaker’s Museum by Purcell Restores Historic Winchester Site
Adaptive Furniture Displays
The USM Haller Re-Framed Exhibition Explores Reuse and Modularity
Luxuriously Modern Hospitality Designs
Transit Studio Redesigns Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa
Adaptive Paris Museums
The Fondation Cartier Opens a New Jean Nouvel–designed Space
Otherworldly Airport Hotels
JFK Airport's TWA Hotel Boasts Retro-Futuristic Elements
Elegantly Minimalist Retail Environments
Entre Quatre Murs Designs the Klozet Boutique
Floating Art Museums
Tadao Ando’s Dubai Museum of Art Embraces Light, Water and Heritage
Minty Modern Cafes
StudioAC Designs a Stunning Coffee Establishment in Toronto
Artistically Expressive Multi-Brand Stores
Sanjay Puri Architects Has Redefined Retail Design
Pointy Modular Hospitality Architecture
Roman & Dmytro Seliuk Designs the Futuristic Namety Cabins
Art-Inspired Toy Collections
Hape x The Met Makes Masterpieces Accessible & Play-Inspiring
Cultural Civic Landmarks
The Ismaili Center Houston by Farshid Moussavi Fuse Tradition & Modernity
Elevated Urban Skate Venues
AAN Architects Designs Suspended Skatepark Overlooking Shanghai
Contemporary Art Libraries
Espace Gabrielle Chanel is a Large Public Art Library in Shanghai
University Art Landmarks
Princeton University Art Museum by Adjaye Associates Redefines Art
Honoring Art Restoration Displays
MoMA Presents the Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower
Museum Expansion Project
The Crystal Bridges Expansion Adds Galleries, Education Spaces, and Café
Converted Industrial Homes
A 1960s Warehouse Transforms into a Residence Honoring Its Raw Design
Chic Avant-Garde Restaurant Interiors
Estereotomia Architects Designs Masahouse
Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums
Atelier Alter Architects Designs the Sunner Museum in China
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Protest Sand Architecture
The Bland Castles Installation Turns Beach into Critique of Urban Design
Experimental Furniture Design Exhibitions
WEDGE Presents the Mise En Abyme Installation
Modernist Art-Deco Cafés
The Watchhouse Café Brings Modernist Warmth to New York’s Iconic Tower
Kinetic Interaction Pavilions
The Transmutation Observatory Makes Architecture Responsive
Modernist Home Renovations
The Bauhaus Budapest Apartment Receives a Contemporary Refresh
Modern Museum Transformations
Paisley Museum Revamp Completes Main Construction with Public Spaces
Floating Wetland Bookstore
Xixi Goldmye Bookstore Alters an Abandoned Office into a Reading Space
Architecturally Stunning Cultural Landmarks
OPEN Architecture Designs the Functional Sun Tower
Adaptive Design Campuses
The Eames Institute Transforms the Birkenstock Site into a Design Museum
Interconnected Public University Designs
SOM Designed Facilities for Kuwait University
Airport Terminal Galleries
The NOMAD Abu Dhabi Converts a Terminal into an Gallery Space
Japan-Focused Design Exhibitions
UQAM is Hosting Built Environment: an Alternative Guide to Japan
Artful AR Experiences
The Incredible Unknowns of the Louvre is a Free, Interactive AR Experience
Compact Public Art Kiosks
The Hiroshima Architecture Exhibition Kiosks Appear as Small Structures
Urban Layered Homes
The Salmon House Layers Warmth and Sculptural Form to Melbourne’s Suburbs
Modern Blue-Accented Academic Buildings
Taktik Design Has Revitalized the Marie Esther Pavilion
Sustainable Educational Architecture Projects
CURA Architekten Presents a Project in Switzerland
Inclusive Museum Designs
The National Science and Media Museum Boasts Sound and Vision Galleries
Architecturally Intricate Museums
STORYN Studio for Architecture Designs a Stunning Museum
Community-Focused High-Rise Buildings
The Journal Square Urby Was Designed by Concrete Amsterdam
National Gallery Extensions
Kengo Kuma National Gallery Wing Expands Painting Display
Modern Dark Tonal Homes
Texas Residence Highlights Moody Tones in a Refined Mid-Century Design
Immersive Educational Museum Experiences
The National Animation Museum and IndieCade Partner
Historic District Hotels
Blue Architecture Studio Converts a Yangzhou District into a Hotel
Futuristic Museum Exhibitions
The Unnatural History Museum of Singapore Shows Mechanical Creatures
Elevated Budget-Friendly Hotel Designs
Ester Bruzkus Architekten Designs Münster Ibis Budget Hotel
Cancer Care Architecture
Maggie’s Architecture That Cares Exhibition Highlights Healing Design
Protein-Inspired Architecture
Folded Protein Molecule Research & Exhibition Rethinks Structure
Emirati-Inspired Towers
The Symphony Tower Introduces a Woven Façade to Dubai’s Skyline
Art Filled Residences
The Art House by Spaces Architects Ka Fuse Bespoke Interiors with Sculptures
Color-Shifting Art Museums
Team BLDG Designs the The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum
Ancient Gymnasium-Inspired Residential Buildings
Triptyque and Architects Office Build AGE360
Upgraded Experiential Museum Experiences
Museum of Ice Cream Undergoes Significant Renovations
Rammed Earth Galleries
The Museum Ehrhardt by Kéré Architecture in Plüschow, Germany
Reflective Architectural Artwork
Audi Origin by Zaha Hadid Architects Shapes Spatial Light Portal
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Timber Warehouse Museums
Cobe Designs IKEA Museum of Furniture Studies in a Converted Warehouse
Shuttle Display Museums
Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center by Zgf Has a Vertical Shuttle Stack
Contemporary Office Design
The Rock Capital Warsaw Office Highlights Art in a Refined Workplace
Multifaceted Cultural Destinations
Hale Muskoka Represents an Ambitious New Cultural Development
Architectural Wall Designs
Heatherwick Presents Humanise Wall at the Seoul Architecture Biennale
Textile Pattern Showcasings
The IKEA Museum: Magical Patterns Installation opens in Scotland
Architecture Art Exhibitions
The Eames Houses Exhibition Presents Models and Full-Scale Structures
Responsive Light Museums
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Turns Environment into Evolving Digital Art
Adaptive Reuse Gallery Projects
Atelier L'abri Design the FOIL Gallery in Montreal
Curvaceous Restaurant Interiors
4SPACE Boasts an Extraordinary Cultural & Architectural Statement
Coastal Sculptural Events Spaces
TAO Introduces the Echo Hall Design in the Shandong Province
Grass-Topped Versatile Community Hubs
MDAD & TODOS Arquitetura Present the Modern Casa Una
Illuminated Curved Home Extensions
Cereus House Blends Heritage with Luminous Curved Additions
Architectural Library Furniture
The Herzog & De Meuron Reading Nooks for Own Furniture Tokyo
Sculptural Hostel Designs
VMA Design Studio Presents the Stunning Double B Hostel
Modernist Burger Interiors
Studio Danel Designs an OMG! Burger in Houston Around a Communal Table
Restored Retail Interiors
The New MoMA Design Store SoHo Shows a Revamped Historic Structure
Modern Apartment Hotel Concepts
Bob W Stockholm Blends Tech with Historic Cues in Its Design
Timber Heritage Museums
The Museum Wegner by Cobe Honours Hans J. Wegner’s Legacy in Tønder
Exclusivity-Promoting Sophisticated Interior Designs
The Historic Club Saint-Denis is Elevated
Sophisticated Government Office Designs
Agata Kurzela Tackles a Heritage Building in Abu Dhabi
Lakeside Modern Art Museums
David Chipperfield Architects Designs the Muzej Lah in Slovenia
Visitor Centre Architecture
Ightham Mote Visitor Centre by Reed Watts Architects is a New Space
Architecture-Focused Design Exhibits
Blouin Orzes Architectes Participate in Time Space Existence
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
Art Park Building Renovations
Heneghan Peng Architects & WXY Reimagine the Storm King Center
Pearl-Inspired Museums
Dubai Museum of Art by Tadao Ando Evokes Water, Light and Heritage
Layered Archival Apartments
Bergman Design House Renovates an Apartment Around Collectible Objects
Oversized Chair Structures
Monumental Moving Furniture Turns Chairs into Walk-Through Forms
National Cultural Museums
Foster + Partners' Zayed National Museum Roots Saadiyat Culture District
Floating Science Museums
Ma Yansong Completes the Hainan Science Museum in Haikou
Stone Building Auditoriums
The Centre De Congrès Fuses Sculpture with Immersive Color and Light
Ceramic Vault Structures
The Muqarnas Pavilion Shows a Modular Approach to Vaulted Form
Modernist Modern Retreats
General Assembly revives 1960s Hamptons villa with coastal modernism
Visually Striking Athletics Centers
NAPUR Architect Designs the National Athletics Center
Industrial Landmark Stadiums
The Powerhouse Stadium Blends Heritage with Contemporary Engineering
Culture-Celebrating Museum Experiences
The cs Transitioning
Former Embassy Showrooms
Temp Project Renovates a Former Embassy Building into Retail Interior
Organic Form Galleries
Gaur NYC Experience Centre in India Uses Cave-Inspired Spatial Design
Art Museum Architecture
The Xiao Feng Art Museum is a Sculptural Concrete Building in China
Converted Church Art Centers
Nyth Turns a Victorian Church into a Creative Space for Young People
Modern Tuscan Chapel Homes
The Pailunga Tuscan Chapel Transforms into a Contemporary Living Space
Contemporart Multi-Purpose Facilities
Alva Roy Architects Complete the Nexus House
Pavilion-Style Art Homes
Casa Galeria by BLOCO Architects Merges Living and Gallery Space
Heritage Reform Museums
The Jadids’ Legacy Museum by Lina Ghotmeh Honours Jadidism Heritage
Desert-Inspired Art Museums
Las Vegas Museum of Art is a Cultural Project by Kéré Architecture
Cohesive Modern Workspace Studios
The Studio and Workspace of Unorthodox Designs is Collaborative
Cultural Green Libraries
The Taichung Green Museumbrary by SANAA Weaves Architecture and Nature
Saucer-Shaped Nestled Galleries
Buro Ziyu Zhuang’s Prairie Ark Explores Rural Memory and Shelter
Interactive Public Pavilions
The Radius Transformation Pavilion Lets Visitors Shape Space
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Reflective Museum Conversion
The Hangzhou Empathy Museum is Transformed from an Abandoned Building
Building-Nestled Compact Cafes
A Triangular Prism Chapel Cafe Creates Calm in Bucharest
Mobile Glass Libraries
La Libreria Brings Transparent Architecture to Underserved Neighborhoods
Environmentally Harmonious Museums
Tadao Ando Designs the Naoshima New Museum of Art
Thoughtfully Contemporary Museum Designs
Innauer-Matt Architekten Designs the Museum Bezau
Natural History Museums
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi Opens in the Saadiyat Cultural District
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Vaulted Pink Complexes
Babel Housing Mexico by V Taller is a Sculptural Tower with Vaulted Design
Contemporary Library Designs
JSWD Architects Presents the Brühl City Hall and Library
Renovated Exhibition Halls
FORMA Remakes Pavilion 13 in Kyiv into a Cultural Beacon
Modern Museum Expansions
Kengo Kuma Associates Designs Brandywine Pennsylvania Museum Expansion
Modernized University Buildings
De Zwarte Hond Tackles Leiden University's Cluster Zuid Building
Community Western Museums
Hga’s Jackson Hole History Museum Blends Western Character
Adaptive Reuse Luxury Hotels
1 Hotel Copenhagen Transforms a 1930s Landmark into a Hygge Retreat
High-Rise Design Renos
The Watergate Pied-à-Terre Renovation Boasts Mid-Century Curves
Park Library Museums
The Taichung Green Museumbrary Blends Library and Art Museum in Taiwan
Multigenerational Modern Twin-Homes
Buero Wagner Designs the House with One Pillar by the Lake
Minimal Retail Spatial Strategies
UP2DATE Architects Debuted Messa House In Almaty
Red Concrete Museums
Vila Do Bispo Museum by Spaceworkers Adds a Bold Volume to Historic Granaries
Contemporary Culture Hubs
The Tselinny Center by Asif Khan Redefines Public Space Through Design
Geometrically Inspired Office Facades
Sanjay Puri Architects designs the Magnus office building
Wave-Inspired Civic Halls
The Sail Congress Centre in Big Normandy Curves into Public Architecture
Curved Wall Sportswear Flagships
UVU Debuts the UVU Seongsu District Flagship By two-fold
Repurposed Workplace Training Hubs
Cachet Group Transformed the Anytime Fitness Basement
Commercial-Transformed Artful Galleries
New Affiliates Designs the Canyon Museum Space
Welfare-Focused Student Hubs
G/O Architecture Uni-Center Renovation Opens Campus Life
Parametric Cultural Museums
The Seoul Robot & AI Museum is Designed by Melike Altınışık Architects