The Smithsonian has selected New York-based BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group to develop a master plan for its oldest buildings on the south side of the National Mall—the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Castle, National Museum of African Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the S. Dillon Ripley Center, the Arts and Industries Building and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The Smithsonian Institute Castle / The Smithsonian Institute
The goal of the project, expected to take between one and two years, is to enhance visitors’ experience by improving orientation and amenities, creating connections between the buildings, clarifying entrances and more actively engaging the two-thirds of visitors who enter the museums from the Mall.
BIG founding partner, 38-year-old Bjarke Ingels, is known for his innovative design, respect for history and commitment to sustainable architecture. Much of the firm’s work reflects its interest in public spaces, cultural facilities and complex urban sites. The new Danish Maritime Museum, scheduled to open this summer at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hamlet’s Kronborg Castle, was designed by BIG to preserve existing views of the landmark. The museum is built entirely underground surrounding an old dry dock on the site, which has been transformed into a dynamic public space that brings daylight deep into the building.
The Danish Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, designed by BIG, showcased sustainability and energy solutions as integral aspects of the Danish lifestyle. It included a dramatic continuous spiral ramp that allowed bicyclists to ride to the top of the building and 300 city bikes that were free to be used by visitors to the Expo.
Recently the firm has designed a mile-long public park in a multiethnic Copenhagen neighborhood that celebrates diversity by incorporating street furniture, signage and objects from around the world. It was awarded a 2013 American Institute of Architects Honor Award and is on the short list for Design of the Year by the Design Museum in London. Other projects have earned awards and international attention.
The Smithsonian’s request for proposals was issued in spring 2012 and 30 firms responded. A selection committee of Smithsonian staff narrowed the group down to six firms, including BIG, that were asked to make presentations at the Smithsonian. BIG was officially awarded the $2.4 million contract March 12.
BIG has not been asked to design a building for the Smithsonian. They will be asked to take a fresh look at the uses of the buildings and the connections among them, identify ways to improve the quality of indoor and outdoor public and staff spaces, and help the Smithsonian engage its visitors. After the master plan is approved, fundraising for the South Mall project will begin.
The Smithsonian will ask the architectural firm to address a number of issues related to the buildings that stretch from Seventh to 12th streets S.W. www.si.edu