Syd Mead Exhibition Opens at Transamerica Pyramid
See 16 gouache paintings on display at 535 Washington St. through December 17, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Fine Art
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Visitors to the Financial District can now view a collection of futuristic works by industrial designer Syd Mead at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid. The new exhibition, Future Pastime, showcases 16 gouache paintings detailing space settlements, advanced vehicles, and leisure activities.
Why it matters
The exhibit brings a deep dive into mid-century visions of the future to one of the city's most iconic landmarks. It offers a rare look at how the late designer, who passed in 2019, imagined our world's trajectory.
The show includes 16 gouache paintings selected for display at 535 Washington St. inside the 54-year-old Transamerica Pyramid complex, with works spanning years of the artist's career.
The players
Syd Mead
An influential industrial designer known for his futuristic visions of vehicles and settlements who passed away in 2019.
MAD
The architecture firm responsible for the design of the exhibition space at the Transamerica Pyramid.
The details
Designed by the architecture firm MAD, the gallery space uses temporary walls that mirror the building's distinctive zig-zag windows and are finished in silvery aluminum-toned sheets. The installation remains open to the public through December 17, 2026.
Timeline
1983: The year the Tokyo Bay Boat Race painting was created.
2019: The year artist Syd Mead died.
December 17, 2026: The final day the exhibition remains on view.
Across the Bay
The exhibition follows the established trend of the ongoing revitalization of the Transamerica Pyramid complex to integrate cultural programming into the historic site. It marks a departure from the building's primary use as office space, mirroring recent efforts in other downtown towers to activate ground-floor lobbies.
You can visit the gallery at 535 Washington St. to see the collection. The exhibition is available to the public daily through the end of 2026.
The takeaway
Visitors interested in industrial design should catch these 16 works before they are taken down. Plan your visit to the Transamerica Pyramid annex anytime before the exhibition closes on December 17, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local art scene, visit the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kqed.
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