September 13, 2016 – The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will open to the public September 24 as a primary exhibition space for African American history and culture, as well as a centerpiece venue for ceremonies and performances.
GGN’s landscape design integrates the museum into the larger composition of the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds, thereby creating a link to a broader American story and establishing the site as an integral component of the museum experience.
"From a landscape design perspective, what makes this museum unique is that it holds a position of both terminus and junction. It is the last museum on the National Mall, and it is also where the National Mall, Washington Monument, and White House grounds meet," said Kathryn Gustafson, Founding Principal. "Conceptually, the landscape design is symbolic of the museum's mission."
Live Oaks, Magnolias, and American Beeches are part of a diverse planting palette chosen and composed to reinforce broad themes of the museum: resiliency, spirituality, hope, and optimism. The site is designed to encourage visitors to extend the museum experience outside, and to linger and reflect on the important narratives being told within.
GGN worked with the architectural team of Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroupJJR from the beginning of the project as part of the competition team. In the role of landscape architect, GGN created the site master plan, envisioned the landscape design, and oversaw landscape construction.
“The site design is really a small part of a much larger composition that has been evolving over the past 200 years. It is humbling to have had a hand in the continued evolution of this significant national space,” said Rodrigo Abela, Principal.
Photo credit: Andrew Moore
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