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African American History Boldly Visualized The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is the result of a decades-long journey toward the commemoration of black history and culture. The building, located on the National Mall, establishes a strong connection to both its unique site and America’s long-standing and often overlooked African American heritage. The NMAAHC rethinks the role of civic institutions in the 21st century, offering new modes of user experience and engagement. It presents a new form of museum: one that prioritizes cultural narrative and identity and that gives form to untold stories, establishing an empowering emotional context for positive social change. As such, it operates simultaneously as a museum, a memorial, and space for cross-cultural collaboration and learning. The building shape was inspired by the Yoruban caryatid, a traditional West African post or column. The corona at the top of the caryatid was the key design driver for the museum’s three-tiered exterior form. With angled walls reaching upward, this iconic building profile presents a distinctive and complementary presence among its neighboring structures on the National Mall. The form itself works as a passive climate-controlling system. The bronze façade sits away from the building, filtering daylight while reducing its heating effects. The pattern cast into the 3,600 bronze-colored corona panels alludes to the ornate ironwork found in southern cities typically designed and fabricated by Americans of African descent. The angle matches the 17-degree angle of the Washington Monument. Exhibiting Artifacts Several prominent artifacts are exhibited in the space in order of historical timeframe, allowing viewers to understand their juxtaposition in time without the use of a graphic timeline. Of note, a ballast recovered from a confirmed slave ship, a restored segregation-era rail car, two slave-era cabins, and the Angola Guard Tower form exhibits in the space. Below ground, the ambiance is both monumental and contemplative, expressed by the triple height history gallery. Contemplative Court Technology was implemented in ways that are not readily apparent. The Contemplative Court showcases a cylindrical cascade of water flowing from an elliptical skylight 45 feet above. This engineering and design challenge focused on “invisible” technology to allow for an emotionally refreshing experience many patrons need as they make their way through potentially disturbing content. Multi-Generational Design To reach a multi-generational audience, exhibit design focused on intentional technology, positioning, and lower viewing angles to create experiences that are welcoming to all. The exhibits were driven by a number of emotional themes that included resilience, movement, and memory. The building’s main entrance features a sweeping front porch with a reflecting pool, welcoming all who approach it from the National Mall. Site Strategy Located on the National Mall’s last buildable parcel, the museum is positioned at the transition point between the highly ordered geometry of the mall and the pastoral grounds surrounding the Washington Monument. Responsive to both conditions, the building footprint is symmetrical, relating to the classical language of the mall. Conversely, the site design mimics the organic, curved pathways of the grounds. FUN FACT 60 Percent of the Structure is Underground The design and construction of the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum, was one of the largest and most complex building projects in the U.S. when it was built. With 60 percent of the structure underground, designers and engineers had to create a continuous retaining wall around the perimeter of the site—extending 65 feet down at its maximum height—to secure the building’s foundation in the marshland below Washington, D.C. Architectural Collaboration: Project Team
Kenneth Luker
Zena Howard
Phil Freelon (1953-2019) What shape is the National Museum of African American History and Culture?The three-tiered shape is inspired by the Yoruban Caryatid, a traditional wooden column that features a crown or corona at its top. The pattern of the exterior panels evokes the look of ornate 19th-century ironwork created by enslaved craftsmen in New Orleans and allows daylight to enter through dappled openings.
What is the inspiration for the building design for the National museum of African American history & culture?For our Museum, the corona is inspired by the three-tiered crowns used in Yoruban art from West Africa. Moreover, the building's main entrance is a welcoming porch, which has architectural roots in Africa and throughout the African Diaspora, especially the American South and Caribbean.
Who was the lead architect for the National Museum of African American History and Culture?The Smithsonian Institution's secretary and founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture today released the following statement on the passing of renowned architect, Philip Freelon. Freelon was the lead architect for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
What is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture?The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by an Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans.
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Smithsonian national museum of african american history and culture architecture
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