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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Winning the competition to design the National Museum of African American History and Culture has consolidated the practice's US portfolio with arguably the nation's most prestigious new building. Located on Constitution Avenue, adjacent to the National Museum of American History and the [Washington](https://www.archdaily.com/tag/washington) Monument, the museum will house exhibit galleries, administrative spaces, theatre space and collections storage space for the NMAAHC. As lead designer for the Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup (FAB) team, David Adjaye's approach has been to establish both a meaningful relationship to this unique site as well as a strong conceptual resonance with America's deep and longstanding African heritage. The design rests on three cornerstones: the "corona" shape and form of the building; the extension of the building out into the landscape - the porch; and the bronze filigree envelope. Situated on the [Washington](https://www.archdaily.com/tag/washington) Monument grounds the museum maintains a subtle profile in the landscape - more than half is below ground - with five stories above. The corona is based on elements of the Washington Monument, closely matching the 17-degree angle of the capstone and the panel size and pattern has been developed using the Monument stones as a reference. The entire building is wrapped in an ornamental bronze lattice that is a historical reference to African American craftsmanship. The density of the pattern can be modulated to control the amount of sunlight and transparency into the interior. The south entry is composed of the Porch and a central water feature. An extension of the building out into the landscape, the porch creates an outdoor room that bridges the gap between the interior and exterior.