The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity has purchased the former Birkenstock campus in Novato, California, for $36 million, transforming the 88.5-acre site into a major cultural destination focused on art, design, and education.
According to a social media post from @eamesinstitute, the property will become a dynamic public space, featuring art exhibitions, creative workshops, rotating displays of Eames artifacts, and a showcase of global design works. The master plan includes green spaces, food vendors, and retail shops.
Architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron—known for San Francisco’s de Young Museum—and local partner EHDD will lead the redevelopment to preserve and enhance the site’s design legacy.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Eames Institute operates from a Richmond warehouse but aims to draw approximately 200,000 visitors annually to the new Novato location. The site includes a large warehouse and an office building slated for redesign.
John Cary, CEO of the Eames Institute, said the vision is to make the campus a significant local attraction and a globally recognized design center. Chief Curator Llisa Demetrios, granddaughter of Charles and Ray Eames, described the project as an “incredible opportunity to help another generation really use design to solve problems,” per the San Francisco Chronicle.
The museum will celebrate a range of artists and designers, as mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle. School visits and broader public access are expected by 2028. Local leaders, including David Howse from California College of the Arts, view the project as a landmark resource for creativity and innovation in the Bay Area.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story misstated the scope of artists being celebrated in this project. The article has been updated for clarity.
