Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Architect: Freelon (
Project Location: Washington, DC
Project Completion Date: 2016
Short Description: The Museum is the result of a decades-long journey toward the commemoration of black history and culture – and the impact African Americans have had on the United States and the world. The building, located on the Mall in our nation’s capital, establishes a strong connection to both its unique site and America’s longstanding and often overlooked African heritage. The core design ideas driving the building are the three-tiered “corona” form; the bronze color of the corona façade; and the porch element that provides the transition between the building and landscape.
Architect’s Statement: “The National Museum of African American History and Culture should be a beacon that reminds us what we were, what challenges we face, and what we can become.” Excerpt from the NMAAHC Mission and Vision Statement. The Yoruban caryatid, a traditional West African wooden sculpture that bears a crown, or a corona, on top, inspires the distinctive three-tiered building exterior. The resulting upward-reaching form is both a contrasting and complementary presence among its neighboring structures on the National Mall. The pattern on the bronze-colored corona, made up of 3,600 cast-aluminum panels weighing a total of 230 tons, was inspired by the ornate ironwork of Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and New Orleans, Louisiana—much of which was created by enslaved and free African Americans. The visual impact of the corona changes over the course of the day and even the year, appearing quiet and somber at times, but bright and vibrant when exposed to sunlight. The building’s main entrance features a sweeping front porch with a reflecting pool, welcoming all who approach it from the National Mall. Visitors pass through the Heritage Hall prior to entering the History Gallery on the lowest level. Ascending via ramps through exhibits highlighting slavery and freedom, the story culminates at the “1968 and Beyond” exhibit. The Contemplative Court, where a cylindrical waterfall, coupled with daylight shining down from the oculus above, sets the tone for reflection and remembrance. The Oprah Winfrey Theater, located opposite the Contemplative Court, seats 350 people. This venue is a forum for performers, artists, educators, scholars, authors, musicians, filmmakers, and opinion leaders to showcase how African American history and culture shapes and enriches the country and the world. The exhibits focused on culture and community, music, and the visual arts are located on the floors above grade.
Type of Construction: The design and construction of the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum, which includes exhibition galleries, an education center, a theater, an auditorium, a cafeteria, a store, and offices, was one of the largest and most complex building projects in the country. 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. Within the “corona” superstructure, four concrete/steel cores structurally support the building. The roof and walls hang from these supports, freeing the internal spaces from any columns and enabling an arrangement whereby the main circulation areas are pushed to the perimeter on the north and west sides. The museum is also the most sustainable national museum ever built, and the greenest of all Smithsonian Institution buildings. It features such design elements as rainwater harvesting, roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels, extensive daylighting, and high-efficiency mechanical systems. It is tracking LEED Gold certification.