Founded by philanthropists Jānis and Dina Zuzāns in 2017, the museum emerged from their personal passion and dedication to Latvian art. Their family collection—now the largest private collection of Latvian art—became the foundation for Zuzeum’s public offering.

The museum is housed in a former cork factory built in 1910 by architect-engineer Edmund von Trompowsky. Its adaptive reuse transformed 4,000 m² of industrial heritage into a vibrant cultural hub including galleries, a sculpture garden, café, roof terrace, workshop, and art shop.

The main signage of the Art Centre is embedded into the façade of the historic factory building, highlighting the respectful link between past and present.

Inside the Zuzeum Art Centre, various typographic elements were integrated to reflect on the visitor’s experience with art and the museum itself. Each piece of lettering is rooted in a specific period of Latvian art history.

The historic factory building and the richness of the interior design provided great freedom for the environmental graphics. Drawing on historical lettering references and copy that reflects the experience of being in an art museum, a range of typographic elements was created using a variety of materials.

Since its opening, Zuzeum has become a staple of the Riga art scene and a beloved tourist destination. In 2025, it received state accreditation. Zuzeum is more than an art museum—it is a living, layered cultural landscape. It bridges past and present, private passion and public openness, breathing new life into Riga’s urban fabric while championing Latvian creative heritage.