National Museum of African American History and Culture

Project Title: National Museum of African American History and Culture
Landscape Architect: GGN (Gustafson Guthrie Nichol)
Category: Category I - General Design
Location: Seattle, WA
Description: The landscape design for the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) integrates the Museum into the larger composition of the National Mall, thereby creating a link to a broader American story and establishing the site as integral to the narrative of the Museum. Drawing the open, pastoral nature of the Washington Monument grounds through the Museum site, the design creates important connections to the surrounding, historic context including the adjacent Washington Memorial, and the White House. Broad sweeping paths draw visitors in through a landscape that is both continuous and sequential, layered with trees native to the Southeast. Live Oaks, Magnolias, and American Beeches are part of a diverse planting palette chosen and composed to reinforce the broad themes of the museum: resiliency, spirituality, hope and optimism. The site is designed to encourage visitors to extend the museum experience outside, to linger and reflect on the important narratives being told within. 

View the full submission