National Museum of African American History & Culture
Celebrating History on the Last Available Space on the National Mall
The National Museum of African American History & Culture has been a long time coming and will serve 'not just as a record of tragedy, but as a celebration of life.
President Obama
Location:
Washington, D.C.
Client:
Smithsonian Institution
Architect:
Adjaye Associates
Davis Brody Bond
SmithGroup
Additional collaborations with SmithGroup:
The Freelon Group
Size:
409,000 Square Feet
Year Completed:
2016
Certification:
LEED Gold (targeted)
Sector:
Occupying the last available space on the National Mall, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) is situated prominently between the National Museum of American History and 15th Street, next to the Washington Monument.
The NMAAHC features exhibition space for African American history and culture, as well as a centerpiece venue for ceremonies and performances. The facility looks unlike any other structure on the Mall. The bronze and glass-panel façade, known as the Corona, is a representation of traditional African architecture using modern materials and will visually define the museum. The Corona hangs from the top of the museum with no intermediate support. The museum’s five above-grade levels are supported by four concrete towers linked at the top by steel trusses. Below grade, the project includes three cast-in-place concrete levels: a mechanical level, a concourse level, and a mezzanine level.
This project continues the longstanding relationship between Clark and the Smithsonian Institution, which dates back to the early 20th century. Since 1983, Clark has built more than 11 projects for the Institution totaling more than 1.3 million square feet.
Sustainability
The museum is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification. Sustainable elements include solar hot water panels on the roof and a geothermal ground water system.
S2N Technology
S2N is managing the structured cabling, security, and audio visual portions of work.
Awards:
2015 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Cast-in-Place Concrete (Clark Concrete)
2016 WBC Craftsmaship Award - Exterior Glass
2016 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Lighting Systems
2016 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Power Geneartion, Distribution & Switchgear
2016 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Specialty Painting
2016 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Ornamental Metals
2016 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Structural Steel
2016 WBC Craftsmanship Award - Structural Steel
2016 WBC Star Award - Excellence in the Face of Adversity
2017 Building Design + Construction - Building Team Gold Award
2017 American Institute of Steel Construction National Award - Architecture with Structural Steel
Project News
- Clark Celebrates Opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture September 26, 2016
- Clark Projects Earn Eleven Craftsmanship Awards January 22, 2015
- Clark Supports OSHA National Safety Stand Down June 23, 2014
