Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum
Project Overview
- High-profile revitalization of the operational NASM museum receiving approximately eight million visitors each year
- Complete removal and replacement of the building’s 150,000 sq. ft. stone and marble curtain wall façade
- Strategic logistics and schedule planning to accommodate nineteen distinct phases and artifact relocation over a six year construction schedule
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM), an iconic modernists landmark on the National Mall since 1976, currently welcomes eight million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited museums in the world. Increased volume to NASM, which was originally built to accommodate only three million visitors annually, aging systems and a severely compromised marble facade, require that the museum undergo an extensive revitalization to preserve its presence as a landmark destination and world-class museum.
Comprehensive planning and logistics in the pre-construction phase will ensure the safety of the fully operational museum and the careful relocation of its irreplaceable collections. The entire pink Tennessee marble envelope will be replaced, requiring re-opening and strategic coordination with the original quarry in order to supply enough marble for the expansive façade within the time-frame of construction. The scope also includes replacement of all building systems and significant renovations and upgrades to the museum’s hardscape and plaza.
During pre-construction, our team proposed a value engineering opportunity to replace the entire pink Tennessee marble envelope with Colonial Rose Granite which was approved by all stakeholders and resulted in significant savings for Smithsonian Institution.
*A joint venture with Clark Construction and Smoot Construction.
