Under the chandeliers at the gala celebrating MALBA’s 25th anniversary on September 18, 2026, Eduardo F. Costantini put an end to speculation about the future of the Argentine institution. The museum’s founder and president took advantage of this milestone to announce the name of the architect tasked with leading the building’s expansion: Frida Escobedo. The Mexican architect, whose offices are based in both Mexico City and New York, comes on board following an extensive review of the museum’s organic growth. Her project aims to double the galleries’ exhibition capacity by expanding beneath Plaza Perú—a major technical and architectural challenge for the Palermo neighborhood in Buenos Aires.
Conquering the Underground
The decision to build underground is a strategic response to the site’s urban constraints. In 2011, an initial expansion project commissioned to Carlos Ott called for a 3,840 m² above-ground structure. The current project, led by Studio Frida Escobedo (or Taller Frida Escobedo), radically reorients this initial vision. The expansion will be built entirely underground—a move that preserves the integrity of Plaza Perú, the public space adjacent to the museum. Above the future galleries, the plaza will retain its function as a public space for residents, while below ground, the institution will gain considerable additional space for its collections.
Although the exact dimensions of the new basement have not yet been disclosed in detail, the goal is clear: to double the area dedicated to exhibition halls. This project, which was still in the study and preliminary design phase as of September 2026, also calls for the creation of an outdoor patio that will provide architectural breathing room for the complex. This new underground complex is expected to open to the public in late 2029 or early 2030, according to current estimates of the construction schedule.
A Legacy Strengthened by the Malba Art Trust
This architectural expansion coincides with a donation of unprecedented scale. Eduardo F. Costantini has formalized the donation of the Daros Latinamerica collection to MALBA, comprising 1,232 contemporary works. This collection is complemented by 17 masterpieces of Latin American modern art, reinforcing the museum’s position as a continental leader. To house these works and ensure the institution’s sustainability, the “MALBA Art Trust” was established. This $50 million (approximately 45 million euros) trust fund guarantees the financial stability necessary to support such development over the long term.
While the direct cost of the infrastructure work has not been disclosed separately from the overall endowment, the resources allocated underscore the ambition of the Escobedo project. The architect, renowned for her mastery of materials and light, will need to harmonize the new structures with the original building. Inaugurated in 2001, the current 7,455 m² building was designed by Argentine architects Gastón Atelman, Martín Fourcade, and Alfredo Tapia (AFT Arquitectos). The expansion will mark the museum’s most significant physical transformation since its opening.
Flexibility and Public Life
The program designed by Frida Escobedo is not limited to new galleries for temporary exhibitions. It includes a new auditorium and multipurpose spaces designed for hybrid use. These spaces can function as an integral part of the museum’s exhibition route or independently. This structural autonomy will allow for the organization of events and gatherings outside the museum’s regular hours of operation, further anchoring the institution in Buenos Aires’s cultural, nightlife, and social scenes.
The expansion will also optimize the institution’s technical and educational functions. The project includes new educational workshops, administrative offices, and areas specifically dedicated to conservation and storage. By doubling its capacity, MALBA is poised to enter a new era, transforming its underground foundation into a driving force for the promotion of contemporary Latin American art.