BIG plans are revealed for Smithsonian Castle upgrade in D.C.
By Bustler Editors|
Friday, Nov 14, 2014
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Bjarke Ingels Group has sure been making some headlines this week. The firm recently unveiled the proposed master plan to renovate the historic Smithsonian Castle South Mall campus in Washington D.C.
The three major points of the plan are expanding visitor and education facilities, improving entrances and connections between the museum buildings and gardens, and replacing old essential building mechanical systems.
At this point, BIG's proposal needs review for fulfillment of environmental and historic preservation requirements from the Smithsonian and the National Capital Planning Commission. A public meeting discussing considered alternatives for the South Mall Master Plan will be held in December.
Implementation of the plan is set for 10 to 20 years, starting in 2016.
Learn more about the proposal below.
"The comprehensive plan for the South Mall Campus includes the museums and gardens along Independence Avenue S.W., from 7th to 12th streets, also encompassing a necessary seismic upgrade and a major revitalization of the Castle. This includes expanded visitor services; new Mall-facing entrances to the National Museum of African Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery as well as improved visibility and access from the Freer Gallery of Art to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden."
"The proposal has three primary goals: to improve and expand visitor services and education; to create clear entrances and connections between the museums and gardens; and to replace aging building mechanical systems that have reached the end of their lifespan. The centerpiece of the proposed South Mall Master Plan is the revitalization of the iconic Smithsonian Castle.
Opened in 1855, the Castle now serves as a visitor information center and the headquarters of the Institution. The plan calls for a restoration of the historic Great Hall, which has been altered by partitions that cut its floor space almost in half, as well as the addition of a two-level underground space for visitor services. The renovation of the Castle will transform the visitors’ experience, offering much-needed expansion of amenities, including retail, cafes and public gathering spaces."
"The proposed Master Plan combines several major projects, some of which address known infrastructure needs, including leaking roofs, failing mechanical systems and inefficient energy use. The initial cost estimate is about $2 billion, a mix of federal and private funds, over the course of the project. Integrated planning for the projects allows the Smithsonian to optimize the connections between the museums and gardens, while taking advantage of cost- and space-saving synergies, such as shared use of utility plants and a central loading dock."
"The proposed Master Plan requires review from the National Capital Planning Commission. The Smithsonian and NCPC will work together to fulfill the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. A public meeting to share the alternatives under consideration for the South Mall Master Plan will be scheduled for December. The South Mall master plan will be on display at an upcoming exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C, running from January-August 2015."
Project details:
CLIENT: Smithsonian Institution
LOCATION: Washington D.C , USA
SIZE: 1,331,527 sf (123,703 sm)
COLLABORATORS: Surfacedesign Inc. (landscape), Robert Silman Associates (structural engineering), GHT Limited (mechanical/electrical/plumbing), EHT Traceries (historic preservation), Stantec (National Environmental Protection Act compliance), Atelier Ten (sustainability), VJ Associates (cost estimation), Wiles Mensch (civil engineering), PE Group (fire/life safety), FDS Design Studio (food services), Kleinfelder (materials management).
PARTNERS-IN-CHARGE: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen, Kai-Uwe Bergmann
PROJECT MANAGER: Ziad Shehab
PROJECT LEADERS: Daniel Kidd, Sean Franklin
TEAM: Suemin Jeon, Alana Goldweit, Cadence Bayley, Lina Bondarenko, Annette Miller, Otilia Pupezeanu, Choongyho Lee, Doug Stechschulte, Jeremy Alain Siegel, Alexandre Hamlyn, Julian Ocampo Salazar, Tammy Teng, Daisy Zhong.
All images courtesy of BIG.
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