Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

National Mall in Washington, DC

A complete reimagination of one-third of the museum realizes a modular Modernism, bridging the original aesthetic with spaces that can adapt to new audiences and programs.

More than four million people visit this museum each year to learn about the American story. The renovation transformed the west wing into clear, lively galleries, inserting memorable icons to cue wayfinding and creating civic-scaled space to accommodate large crowds. The design knits the museum into the Mall, reinforcing the connection between the exhibitions and the seat of our government. Galleries and exhibition spaces are flexible and modular to allow the museum to refresh content regularly and without the need for major capital projects

Image Credits

Ron Blunt Architectural Photography - EwingCole