An 'otherworldly' voyage through the history of cinema, housed in a levitating glass orb.
Los Angeles museum dedicated to films and filmmaking.
Featured in Renzo Piano's definitive monograph, Renzo Piano: Complete Works 1966–Today.
Visitor Guide
Head to the Dolby Family Terrace at the top of the sphere for an unobstructed view of the Hollywood Sign.
The glass bridge connecting the Saban Building to the Sphere, especially during the 'Golden Hour' in LA.
Open daily 10am–6pm (closed Tuesdays). General admission is $25; free for ages 17 and under.
The David Geffen Theater inside the sphere features a 'starlit' ceiling and can project films in formats ranging from nitrate to laser.
2-3 hours
Design & Structure
Renzo Piano used the metaphor of a spaceship to design the sphere, using BIM to coordinate the complex connection of 1,500 glass panes.
Precast concrete panels and a custom-cut glass dome by Saint-Gobain Glassolutions.
The Sphere rests on four massive plinths with seismic base isolators that allow it to move independently from the historic Saban Building.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Renzo Piano
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California Academy of Sciences
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Musical Instruments Museum
Harvard Art Museums
High Museum of Art
Morgan Library & Museum
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Nearby in Los Angeles
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Beverly Center
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
Colburn School
Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Academy Museum of Motion Pictures?+
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures was designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 2012. It is located in Los Angeles, United States.
Where is Academy Museum of Motion Pictures located?+
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is located in Los Angeles, United States. Its coordinates are 34.0633°, -118.3608°.
When was Academy Museum of Motion Pictures built?+
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures was completed in 2012. It was designed by Renzo Piano.
Can I visit Academy Museum of Motion Pictures?+
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a real building in Los Angeles that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.