Future Smithsonian Museum to be Green

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Joyce Benson Add a Comment |
Tag(s): Events, For Kids, Green Building

A competition to select the architectural firm who will design the future National Museum of African American History and Culture is underway. The winning design will incorporate many “green” features, with energy efficiency topping the list of criteria. Obtaining LEED certification, through the U.S. Green Building Council, is also a priority.

The NMAAHC will be located on 5 acres between the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. It is the first national museum to be devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life.

Along with the National Capital Planning Commission, the Smithsonian has prepared a National Environmental Policy Act environmental impact statement to determine important environmental concerns. It has developed historic preservation and archaeological study reports in keeping with the National Historic Preservation Act as well.

The Smithsonian Institution has narrowed its focus to six architectural firms. Teams can create design concepts in the form of models, schematics and renderings. Be sure to check out their submissions when they will be on display in the Smithsonian Institution Building in the spring.

The ground breaking ceremony is expected in 2012 with the intent of opening the museum in 2015.

Source: Washington Business Journal