The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Behring Center, has selected the New York-based architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to launch the museum's renovation of its 38-year-old building. The project will improve visitor circulation and navigation, increase exhibition space, and update and improve public facilities, such as restrooms, restaurants and other amenities.
Top priorities under the contract include:
- Designing the central "core" so that it becomes the heart of the museum and can be used as a way to orient visitors to exhibitions of interest to them.
- Creating a plan that will phase-in the project, working to keep the museum open to the public
- Providing ideas for transforming the exterior and interior of the building
The renovation project has been made possible by the $80-million donation to the museum from Kenneth E. Behring in September 2000. Of that, approximately $35 million will be applied toward the architectural planning, design and construction. The other half of the donation will fund the Armed Forces Hall renovation.
