A historic ’60s warehouse gets a second life as the future home of Eames design and innovation.
A New Chapter for the Eames Legacy
The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity has officially announced its plans to open a new Eames Design Museum in Novato, California — just north of San Francisco. The museum will be housed in a restored 1960s-era warehouse, once home to McGraw-Hill and later Birkenstock.
The ambitious project is a collaboration between world-renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and San Francisco-based EHDD. Together, they aim to preserve the building’s modernist roots while transforming it into a forward-thinking cultural destination that celebrates the spirit of design, innovation, and curiosity that defined Ray and Charles Eames.
Inside the Future Museum
The museum will serve as a permanent home for the Eames Collection archives, offering a dynamic space for rotating exhibitions, creative workshops, and educational programs. Visitors will have a chance to engage with the design duo’s iconic legacy — from their groundbreaking furniture to their playful and practical approach to problem-solving.
“My grandparents’ vision was always about solving problems through design,” said Llisa Demetrios, Chief Curator of the Eames Institute and granddaughter of Ray and Charles Eames. “To share that legacy with the world through this museum is the honor of a lifetime.”
Preserving a Piece of Modernist History
Originally designed by Bay Area modernist architect John Savage Bolles, the warehouse stands as a testament to mid-century design — complete with bold lines and a sculptural rooftop feature that has made it a quiet landmark for local design lovers.
The Eames Institute has confirmed that the building’s defining elements, including its iconic roofline, will remain intact as the space is reimagined for the future.
While full design plans are still in development, one thing is clear: the Eames Design Museum is poised to become a vibrant hub for creativity, history, and hands-on learning — all rooted in the timeless ethos of good design for all.
