NMAAHC

Located on Constitution Avenue, adjacent to the National Museum of American History and the Washington Monument, the NMAAHC (National Museum of African American History and Culture) designed by david Adjaye houses exhibit galleries, administrative spaces, a theatre space and collections storage. 

As lead designer, British architect David Adjaye’s approach has been to establishes a relationship to the site as well as a strong conceptual resonance with America’s deep and longstanding African heritage. The design rests on three cornerstones: the ‘corona’ shape and form of the building, the extension of the building out into the landscape and the bronze filigree envelope. 

Situated on the Washington Monument grounds the museum rises five storeys high. The corona is based on elements of the Washington Monument, while the entire building is wrapped in an ornamental bronze lattice that is a historical reference to African American craftsmanship. The density of the pattern can be modulated to control the amount of sunlight and transparency into the interior. The south entry is composed of the ‘porch’ and a central water feature. An extension of the building out into the landscape, the porch creates an outdoor room that bridges the gap between the interior and exterior.

The underside of the porch roof is tilted upward allowing reflection of the moving water below. This covered area creates a microclimate where breezes combine with the cooling waters to generate a place of refuge from the hot summer sun. There is also an outdoor patio on the porch rooftop that is accessed from a mezzanine level within the building.

Inside the building, visitors are guided on a historical and emotional journey, characterised by vast, column free spaces, an infusion of natural light and a diverse material palette comprising pre-cast concrete, timber and a glazed skin that sits within the bronze lattice. Below ground, the ambience is contemplative and monumental, achieved by the triple height history gallery and symbolised by the memorial space that brings light diffused by a cascade of water into the contemplative space from the Monument grounds. 

NMAAHC, Washington DC, USA
Program: museum
Architects: David Adjaye, Freelon Adjaye Bond and SmithGroup
Client: Smithsonian Institution
Structural engineering: Guy Nordeson and Associates, Robert Silman Associates
Mechanical engineering: WSP Flack + Kurtz
Sustainability consultant: Rocky Mountain Institute
Landscape: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol
Lighting: Fisher Marantz Stone
Facade: R.A. Heintges & Associates
Total area: 128,000 sqm
Completion: 2016