CONSTRUCTION
National Museum of African-American History
National Museum of African-American History
The aluminium-clad National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C. is the newest addition to the "National Mall," one of the most well-known public spaces in the United States.
5 February, 2016
Home to the Smithsonian Institution since 1846, the expansive green park is surrounded by some of the world's most beloved and highly-visited museums.
Built at various points over the course of over a hundred years, the buildings that make up Washington's world-renowned museum district reflect an eclectic range of architectural tastes and fashions; while the neo-classical Museum of Natural History first opened to the public in 1910, the industrial, glass-heavy design of the Air & Space Museum was conceived at the height of the space age and opened in 1976.
The idea for a museum dedicated to African-American achievements in the American capital dates back to 1915, when black veterans who had served in the U.S. Civil War proposed it. Nearly nine decades later, Congress finally approved a museum dedicated to African-Americans and granted it the last remaining space on the Mall in 2003, while a 2009 competition entrusted the museum's design to the architectural team of Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup (combining The Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates, Davis Brody Bond, and SmithGroup).
At the time, designer Philip G. Freelon responded to the news by saying: ""This is an incredible time for us as designers—and this museum represents a unique opportunity to give form and substance to the powerful vision that has been established by the Smithsonian leadership. We are truly honored to have been chosen as the architects from such a distinguished list of competitors."
At the time, designer Philip G. Freelon responded to the news by saying: ""This is an incredible time for us as designers—and this museum represents a unique opportunity to give form and substance to the powerful vision that has been established by the Smithsonian leadership. We are truly honored to have been chosen as the architects from such a distinguished list of competitors."
The new NMAAHC, dedicated to the experience of a specific section of the American populace, integrates cultural symbols that speak to its larger purpose while projecting an inviting atmosphere to all visitors.
Situated alongside historic landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the White House, the museum also offers a textbook example of the way in which innovative architecture can both honor and break away from the classical buildings around it. Thanks to its unique design, with 3,600 bronze-colored aluminium panels covering nearly the entire building, the new museum is set to turn heads for many years to come.
The design of the NMAAHC, stewarded by lead designer David Adjaye (who also designed the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo), faced the daunting task of integrating a thoroughly modern structure into a master plan for central Washington that dates back to Pierre L'Enfant and the late 18th century. His proposal was for a ziggurat covered by a decorative façade, with the tiered stories reflecting the "crowns" used on top of columns in West African Yoruban architecture. Driving upwards from the main body of the building at 17 degrees, the museum's tiers match the pinnacle of the nearby Washington Monument.
While the overall shape of the building pays homage to African roots, the 3,600 bronze-toned aluminium panels (named "Corona") feature computer-generated patterns that vary across the building and allude to the ironwork of slaves in New Orleans and Charleston in the American South in the 19th century. As a result, the façade changes appearance as weather and lighting conditions shift, as well as helping control heat gain inside the building. A reflecting pool and a deep canopy have also been integrated to the design to help alleviate the worst effects of hot, humid Washington summers.
While the overall shape of the building pays homage to African roots, the 3,600 bronze-toned aluminium panels (named "Corona") feature computer-generated patterns that vary across the building and allude to the ironwork of slaves in New Orleans and Charleston in the American South in the 19th century. As a result, the façade changes appearance as weather and lighting conditions shift, as well as helping control heat gain inside the building. A reflecting pool and a deep canopy have also been integrated to the design to help alleviate the worst effects of hot, humid Washington summers.
The National Museum of African-American History and Culture is slated to open to the public in 2016. When it does, the museum's collections will include artifacts, documents, and art that illustrate the historical experience of America's black community in such key eras as slavery and emancipation, the Reconstruction period in the southern states, the Harlem Renaissance, and the civil rights movement. 33,000 historical artifacts and pieces of art have already been included in the museum's collection, and its leadership have raised over $475 million USD in funds. Over a hundred years after veterans of the war to free America's slaves first pushed for such museum, their wish will finally become a reality.