Deep History Shrouded in Strong African Symbolism: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington D.C, USA

 “This is more than a functional building to hold content but also a representative building—I felt compelled to find symbolism that would start to make a connection, but symbolism that wasn’t too dogmatic. One that was definitely not familiar immediately but would make you ask questions.”  - Sir David Adjaye 


An Afro-American cultural fusion covered in bronze-coloured latticework reminiscent of celebrated African historical patterns, first proposed over a century ago by black american civil war veterans, and was authorized for construction in 2004 by former U.S. President George W. Bush. The National Museum Of African American History and Culture (also NMAAHC) is a Smithsonian institution museum, and also the first museum to serve as a national commemoration of black history in the United States. The unique idea behind the building which affords it a multi-faceted identity of being a "Monument, Museum and Memorial" was spearheaded by UK based architect Sir David Adjaye. Adjaye alongside Phil Freelon led a four-firm architectural team including: Adjaye Associates, The Freelon Group, Davis Brody Bond and Smith GroupJJR to oversee the building from inception to completion. The museum opened it's doors to the public on September 24, 2016 in a ceremony coordinated by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The National Museum Of African American History and Culture covers five acres and is situated at the last available spot on the National Mall in Washington D.C, USA. The museum is said to be situated close to the site where slaves arrived by boat in early day Washington. A centre for domestic slave trade! The NMAAHC shares it's habitat with several Neo-classically themed buildings and monuments such as the Washington Monument to it's south-west and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, The National Archives and National Gallery of Art, to it's east and far-east respectively. The U.S. White House is located further-north as well as the National Theatre, Church of the Epiphany, Warner Theatre, National Press Club and a host of cafe's, restaurants and parks/gardens. To it's south, the NMAAHC is bordered by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Sidney R.Yates Federal building, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 

The NMAAHC building design was conceived at a design competition organized by the National Museum for African American History and Culture Council in 2008. The brief was to design a building with five storeys above ground and three storeys below ground. It was to be 33,000 square metres size and to be located on a proposed site of five acres (20,000 square metres). The winning design was to convey the dark story of the early African slave trade and as well, demonstrate an understanding of the Africa-American experience. The building was also required to have the capacity to host events, while projecting a character of optimism, spirituality and joy, and also respecting the origin and views of the Washington monument. 

The design proposal submitted by Freelon Group/Adjaye Associates/Davis Brody Bond was chosen as the priority design of the competition and construction began in late February 2012. Immediately following the ground breaking ceremony which took place on February 22, 2012, in which U.S President Barack Obama was a guest speaker.

The entire facade of the building measures 23225.76 square metres and is clad in bronze-coloured cast aluminium panels that are coated in Polyvinyl Di-fluoride (PVDF). PVDF was chosen for its durability in unfavorable weather conditions, it's colouring property, which conformed to the American Commission of Fine Arts original intent of portraying the "right colour, lustre and warmth". Most importantly, to produce the high quality effect that was needed to visually aggrandize the beautiful poetic effect, highlighted in the original concept. The design pattern on the architectural scrim is the "Corona", a three tiered crown used in Yoruba tradition from West Africa. It was specifically chosen by David Adjaye.

The NMAAHC possesses a structural system that consists of four 40 feet (12.19 metres) rectangular concrete and steel cores each at four corners of the building. These structural cores also enclose major building components and services inclusive of: Vertical transportation (elevators), restrooms and mechanical spaces. Structural support for the building is provided by a steel superstructure that spans between the four cores.

“This story has embedded in it so much complexity that it’s not just about telling that story,” - Sir David Adjaye 

The building which is covers an area of 33,000 square metres has ten stories (five above and five below ground). During the early (excavation) stages of it's construction, it was generally observed that the NMAAHC would have deep foundations - infact the deepest foundations for any museum constructed on the National Mall.  The building's basement is 21 metres deep and houses A theatre dedicated to Oprah Winfrey, a slave history gallery, a contemplative court with cascading water and light streaming from above, and a loading dock as shown below in the building's cross-section.














Other interior spaces in the building include:

• A 6.7 metre high Heritage hall 
• Gift shop
• Education Centre
• Orientation Theatre
• A Culture gallery
• Community Gallery
• A Cafeteria
• Offices located at the top

“Going out into that corridor, into that light-filled space, and then going back into this sort of dark box is an important part of keeping you engaged as you go up the building.”  - Sir David Adjaye

In conclusion, the National Museum for African American History and Culture displays strong African symbolism on the facade and a deep rooted history on the interior. It's collection encompasses close to 37,000 unique objects that cover subjects such as visual and performing Arts, civil rights, religion, family, community, slavery, and segregation.

As you begin your journey from the very bottom (Basement 4), which houses the dark themed History gallery and make your way through the Contemplative court, and from the massive Heritage hall to the fourth floor, where the community gallery is located. You will experience a level of captivation so pure that only few buildings can match. This is because the building is designed to tell a story; a grim and dark one in the beginning (the bottom) which transcends through the building to the top to tell the ultimate story of African prospect, industry, confidence, happiness and optimism. 

As catch your breath and salvage the view of Washington D.C in a gallery drenched with cascading light coming through the Yoruba themed facade, you can't help but wonder about the good men and women who broke their backs, and stayed up day and night to achieve this excellent piece of architectural genius. 

I extend my supersized Kudos to Sir David Adjaye and his team of Architects - Freelon Group, Davis Brody Bond and Smith GroupJJR. And lest I forget, Congratulations Sir David on your conferment of Knighthood by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. 

I'd say "Job well done!".






Project Size: 33,000 square metres

Project Completion Date: September 2016

Project Location: National Mall, Washington D.C, USA.

Architects: Freelon Group/Adjaye Associates/Davis brody Bond/Smith Group JJR

Sources:

Architectural Record Magazine  (http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11964-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture, http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12124-david-adjaye-knighted-by-queen-elizabeth-ii)

Wikipedia Online Encyclopaedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_African_American_History_and_Culture)
     
Google maps 2016



Photo Credits (Top to Bottom)

All Exterior Photos - www.architecturalrecord.com

All Interior Photos - www.architecturalrecord.com, www.wikipedia.org

Photo of labeled Cross-section - www.architecturalrecord.com