National Museum of the United States Army, Virginia
The stainless steel-clad museum has been designed by American architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), to educate the public about the army's role in American history. "Drawing inspiration from such iconic works of architecture as the Acropolis in Athens and the United States Military Academy at West Point, the plan exploits the site's natural topography, resting the museum on a plateau to evoke a sense of monumentality," said SOM. The design of the museum evokes the principles of the Army: it is disciplined, modest, and rigorous.
Spanning approximately 17,187 square meters, the building is constructed of steel and glass and clad in reflective panels that contrast the contemporary building with its clay and pine surroundings. The three-story building will comprise five pavilions linked by glass thresholds. Once at the museum, a bright lobby has coffered ceilings, terrazzo flooring, and colorful laminated glass panels overhead that evoke streamers from each of the Army's campaigns. An oversized yellow, blue, and red Army emblem is inlaid at the center of the floor.
The museum will comprise three main galleries that cover different themes and periods in the Army's history. The museum also includes a learning center, cafe, shop, offices, events space, and room for temporary installations. Terraced gardens, a park, a trail, and an amphitheater will surround the project. Grounds will also be designed to host ceremonies, reenactments, lectures, events, and other programs.
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