There’s no better time to visit the National Building Museum than right now! Summer traditionally plays host to a massive interactive art installation in the museum’s Great Hall and this year’s exhibit – called “Hive” – is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Speaking directly to the Museum’s mission as a showcase for design, engineering, and architecture, Hive is an impressive set of three multi-story domes built entirely from 2700 paper tubes. The highest dome reaches 60 feet and is topped by an oculus reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome. Each of the hollow tubes is painted gray and fuchsia, creating a fun and eye-catching play of color and light. Inside the two smaller domes visitors can play with bells, chimes, and percussion instruments that highlight the acoustics of the dome and add another sensory level to the experience. The exhibit runs through September 4, 2017.
The spectacle of the Hive exhibit aside, the museum is one of the most impressive buildings in all of Washington, DC. It’s Great Hall, with eight redwood-sized Greek columns supporting the roof five stories above, is hands-down the biggest draw. The colonnaded balcony corridors overlooking the hall add an Italian Renaissance influence to the vast, wow-inducing room. This space consistently hosts some of Washington, DC’s most impressive events, running from inaugural balls to political rallies.
The museum describes itself as “America’s leading cultural institution devoted to interpreting the history and impact of the built environment.” The second and third floors fulfill this mission with a series of rotating installations bringing those concepts to life. Interestingly, the museum also takes great pains to ensure that there’s something for children to enjoy, making it one of the most family-friendly venues in Washington. The ongoing exhibit “Play, Work, and Build” is a critically acclaimed interactive space that uses architectural toys to highlight the design skills and creativity of a generation of future builders.
Before you leave, be sure to check out the extensive gift shop, which feels more like a boutique dedicated to modern design than a typical museum tourist trap. It really is like another exhibit, which is well worth browsing even if you have no intention to buy.
Nerdy Fun Fact: The building that houses the museum was originally designed as the home of the U.S. Pension Bureau, the first federal veterans’ benefit office created to care for Civil War veterans. This purpose is even reflected in the building’s construction. Each of the staircases has long steps, set closely together, with each step sloping slightly downward. In a world before passenger elevators were common, these special steps were an attempt to make access to the second and third floors easier for veterans mobility challenges.
Admission: Entry to the Great Hall and the gift shop is free. For entry to the exhibits, admission is currently $16 for adults; $13 for ages 3-17 (but prices may fluctuate with the season, so check the website).
Where: 401 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Closest Metro: Judiciary Square (Red line) or Gallery Place (Green & Yellow lines)
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday 11 am-5 pm
Website: www.nbm.org