Introduction ― 4 Selected Projects ― 10
― Museums
The most successful museums create space for multiple stories and meaningful dialogue that turn treasured collections into portals of enrichment. We envision museums, not only as institutions that actively collect and preserve our material culture, but also as inclusive learning environments, incubators of curiosity and innovation, and civic hubs that strengthen society.
Facing Page:
This artistic concept for the National Museum of the U.S. Navy was inspired by a history and culture forged by the sea. The building’s sail-like shapes and landscape conjure a fleet of vessels that skim the ocean’s surface, establishing a clear connection to sea, land, and air.
The Shanghai Natural History Museum spirals up into the landscape, its shape recalling the harmonious forms and proportions of a nautilus shell. The main structural layer emphasizes the cell as the building block of nature one of the purest natural geometric forms.
Left:
We believe that the building form and exhibits should be developed simultaneously to create a seamless visitor experience. Rather than leaving departing visitors feeling intellectually intimidated, we can provide clear goals, regular feedback, “wow” moments, and engaging social interactions that leave them wanting to come back for more. It is this kind of expansive design thinking that we bring to each of our projects.
The building form of the National Museum of African American History and Culture was inspired by the Yoruban caryatid, a traditional West African post or column. The pattern cast into the 3,600 corona panels alludes to the ironwork found in southern cities typically created by Americans of African descent.
We design buildings that signal welcome, almost ushering people in the entry.
We are well versed in designing the ‘cultural heartbeat’ of a city—with a holistic approach we call Living Design that considers both environmental and social sustainability, resilience, regeneration, inclusion, and well-being to create authentic and enlivened places ‘to be’.
Buildings are not just elegant forms. They must revolve around people and our natural ecology. We design museums with an intention to broaden patron bases, create accessible and inclusive destinations, connect urban fabrics, engage community, and deliver remarkable visitor experiences.
Client: Smithsonian Institution
Size: 397,000 square feet (36,882 square meters)
Completion Date: 2106
Awards:
Beazley Design of the Year, London Design Museum, 2018
Public/Civic Design Award, Contract Magazine, 2018
Best in Competition, AIA New York, 2018
Award of Excellence in Architecture, AIA DC, 2017
Merit Award, AIA North Carolina, 2017
Building Team Gold Award, Building Design + Construction, 2017
Partners: Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroupJJR
National Museum of African American History and Culture, ― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The museum prioritizes cultural narrative and identity, giving form to untold stories and establishing emotional context for positive social change.
Client: North Carolina State University
Size: 25,127 square feet (2,334 square meters)
Completion Date: 2017
Awards:
Honor Award, AIA Southeast Region, 2019
Honor Award, AIA North Carolina, 2018
Honor Award, AIA Triangle, 2018
Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance, 2018
Raleigh, North Carolina ― WHAT IT IS
An environmentally sustainable art and design teaching museum that interweaves collection, architecture, and place.
The design began with this simple question: What secret histories are stored in the file drawers of beloved architecture? .
Shanghai, China
Client: Shanghai Science & Technology Museum
Size: 484,376 square feet (45,000 square meters)
Completion Date: 2015
Awards:
Divine Detail Honor Award, AIA Chicago, 2015
Community Future Award, Dubai Cityscape, 2010
Highly Commended, Environmental Award, Dubai Cityscape, 2010
A museum celebrating the spirit of nature and architecture, bringing a renewed experience to the city.
The museum spirals out of the ground and becomes an integral part of the larger parkland area.
An iconic “Cell Wall” is comprised of three layers, each with a unique geometrical pattern.
Client: National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Size: 42,500 square feet (3,948 square meters)
Completion Date: 2014
Sustainability: LEED Gold
Awards:
Engineering Excellence, American Council of Engineering Companies, 2016
AIA Georgia Honor Award, 2015
Atlanta Development of Excellence Award, Urban Land Institute, 2014
Award for Economic and Community Improvement, Commercial Real Estate Women of Atlanta, 2014
#2 Atlanta’s Top 25 Designs from the Past 25 Years, Museum of Design Atlanta, 2014
AIA Merit Award, Unbuilt Category, 2009
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
A living institution for local, national, and international conversations and actions on human rights issues.
Los Angeles, California
Client: Los Angeles Council District 8
Size: 1.3 miles
Completion Date: First Phase in 2024
Awards:
Merit Award, Cityscapes, AIA Los Angeles, 2021
Merit Award, Public/Open Space, Westside Urban Forum, 2021
Honor Award - Unbuilt, National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), 2019
Located near Crenshaw and Fiftieth Street in Hyde Park, The Crenshaw Wall is a significant anchor to the community — incorporating images and icons from black history painted in 2000 by a graffiti collective called Rocking the Nation. Efforts to restore, digitally preserve, and commemorate this wall are underway.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
Destination Crenshaw invites the world to experience South LA as narrated by the community itself.
Paul, Minnesota
Client: University Of Minnesota
Size: 89,860 square feet (8,348 square meters)
Completion Date: 2017
Awards:
FAB Award Civic and Community Design Excellence, IIDA Northland, 2019
Engineering Excellence Award, American Council of Engineering, 2019
Excellence in Concrete & Masonry Design, Concrete
Commercial Innovative & Decorative, Minnesota
Concrete & Masonry Contractors Association, 2019
Top Projects of 2018, Finance & Commerce, 2018
National Design Award, Society of American Registered Architects, 2018
Most Notable Museums Opening This Year, Architectural Digest, 2018
TEKNE Award - Building Design & Infrastructure, Minnesota High Tech Association, 2017
―
An imaginative museum that connects people to
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The design is rooted in mission, content, and resources of the ultra-sustainable museum.
Detroit, Michigan
Client: City of Detroit
Size: 50,000 square feet (4,645 square meters)
Completion Date: 2020
WHAT IT IS The new Motown Museum is designed and built around the cherished Hitsville U.S.A. house.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The museum’s vision is to inspire dreams and serve as an educational resource for global and local communities.
Artistic Concepts submitted to the Naval History and Heritage Command
Washington, D.C. ― WHAT IT IS A concept that honors the resilient and flexible fiber of the U.S. Navy inspired by a history and culture forged by the sea.
The building’s sail-like shapes and landscape conjure a fleet of vessels that skim the ocean’s surface, establishing a clear connection to sea, land, and air.
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place.
That’s why clients and communities on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about human-centered design, and committed to creating a positive impact in people’s lives through sustainability, resilience, well-being, diversity, inclusion, and research. In fact, Fast Company named us one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture. Our global team of 2,700 creatives and critical thinkers provides integrated services in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen; retail strategy and design consultancy Portland; sustainable transportation planning consultancy Nelson\Nygaard; and luxury hospitality design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR).
For more information, contact: CivicAndCultural@perkinswill.com