Smithsonian Museum of African American History
FINALIST: Devrouax & Purnell Architects/Planners and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects
"Our team began by discussing the importance of this project to our nation and the unique opportunity it affords to give voice in architecture to the African American experience. Equality, Journey, Change and Permanence are four words that resonated. Equality defined the objective. The Journey is what we celebrate. Change is what was necessary. And Permanence must be embodied in the outcome. These ideas inspired and informed our search."
FINALIST: Diller Scofidio + Renfro
"The NMAAHC will sit on a historically charged site … both the somber history of African American slave labor and spectacular, pivotal democratic events such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and the Inauguration of the first bi-racial president. The painful struggles and glorious achievements of African American history and culture must be embodied through the inextricable bond of building and site. Rather than passively sitting on the ground, the new building emerges from the ground as if its seeds were always planted but not yet germinated."
FINALIST: Foster + Partners
"It is essential that this project is approached from the outside in and the inside out. Namely that the new building must succeed in its context and its function, but above all, as a symbolic response to such an important subject … This museum explores and elucidates the impact on the nation of the complex history and rich culture of African Americans. It reminds us of what we were and the challenges we still face, and guides us toward what we can become. The museum is designed to be a place of meaning, a journey of memory and of reflection, a haven of music and laughter and a beacon of hope."
FINALIST: Moody Nolan in association with Antoine Predock Architect
"The living atmosphere of our proposal absorbs and illuminates the teachings, struggles and triumphs of African American culture, which then become lessons—inextricably connected to each visitor. The atmosphere…highlights the culture's circuitous, yet persistent movement towards brighter futures, and translates the trajectory of pitfalls and accomplishments that define African American culture. Our proposal offers a resounding celebratory means of navigating the building that synthesizes the African American experience of ascendance with the visitor's path of travel."
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Q&A
What is the address for Smithsonian American History Museum.
Ten of the Smithsonian museums in DC span an area from 3rd to 14th Streets between Constitution Ave and Independence Ave.
Why was the Smithsonian National Museum of National History built?
Smithson was British (I don't know his full name) but he cared so much about education that he wanted to provide for it. He saw the U.S as an opprotunity for that education but sadly before he came to see the U.S he died , in his will Smithson gave all of his life savings for creating a place of knowledge. He is still known. His body is at the Smithsonian somewhere, or so it is believed.
