Designed by Walker Cain of McKim, Mead & White (later Steinmann, Cain, and White) and opened in 1964, the National Museum of American History welcomes more than 3.8 million visitors a year to the 750,000-square-foot building and 12-acre site on the National Mall. ABA’s Master Plan for the renewal and renovation of the building and landscape provides a long-term, phased plan to enhance visitor engagement and access to the museum’s collections, while addressing security, accessibility, sustainability, and resiliency.

The NMAH Master Plan integrates a thematically rich landscape with the museum to extend the visitor experience to the entire site. ABA’s Plan also transforms the workplace environment for more than 500 staff, creating a collaborative and vibrant setting for scholarship, conservation, and research. The Plan renews the museum’s Modernist building and site, strengthens connections to the city and the National Mall, and creates a setting for celebrating national treasures and exploring to American history.

Location: Washington, DC
Project Size: 750,000 SF

Project Team: Philip Chen FAIA, Ann Beha FAIA, Ed Rice AIA, Melissa Murphy AIA, Maria Tiliakos (ABA); Silman (Structural); GHD (Security); Altieri (MEP); OLIN (Landscape); Wiles Mensch Corporation (Civil); AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (Cost); EHT Traceries, Inc. (Cultural Landscape Report)