National Museum of
African American History and Culture
Designers for the National Museum of African American History and Culture on December 3 provided the National Capital Planning Commission with a visual presentation of what will be the newest museum to be located on the National Mall.
Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup, the architectural team chosen to design the museum, shared eye-catching renderings and a 3D virtual tour of their winning submission selected by the Smithsonian from among six semi-finalists. The museum will be located on five acres near the Washington Monument. Construction is expected to begin in 2012 and last for three years.
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Several members of the Commission urged the designers to keep in mind the context of the National Mall and adjacent Washington Monument as they move forward with the design process. NCPC Chairman L. Preston Bryant, Jr. made note that the design portrayed in the information presentation will inevitably evolve during the official review process in order to meet the design principles developed during the Section 106 process. Other Commission members commended the team for a design that blends well with the adjacent buildings.
“The building is absolutely exquisite,” said Commissioner Stacie S. Turner. “The direction [designers] are going [in] will create something unique, yet complement the adjacent buildings already in place. I hope your task force is talking closely with NCPC staff so you can get real specific about what terms of form, style, etc. will be acceptable.”
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“The direction [designers] are going [in] will create something unique, yet complement the adjacent buildings already in place. I hope your task force is talking closely with NCPC staff so you can get real specific about what terms of form, style, etc. will be acceptable.” |
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Museum staff discussed how the facility’s proposed architecture attempts to reinterpret the formality of museums lining the north edge of the National Mall. Designers noted the importance of each side of the museum’s façade and that the final facility will respect the site context in terms of height, setback, and views.
Commenting on the distinctive architecture, Harriet Tregoning, director of the DC Office of Planning said, “I wouldn’t want this to be another Beaux Arts box on the National Mall. I’m expecting something different and exuberant that says what it is. I welcome the opportunity to look at subsequent proposals.”
During the next several months, designers will work to ensure the design embraces the specific design principles established for the site’s historic context and location on the grounds of the Washington Monument on the National Mall.
“In my 20 years, this is the most collaborative effort,” said Harry Rombach, the Smithsonian Institution’s Associate Director of Facilities Master Planning. “NCPC staff has been an active member [of the process]. As a result, we came out with some very refined design principles that will be instructions to the architects.”
To learn more about the design presentation, watch our video.