Washington Monument New Visitor Facility

Washington, DC

Civic Landmarks

Washington Monument New Visitor Facility: Alan Karchmer / Washington Monument Entry Pavilion

Washington Monument Entry Pavilion, Beyer Blinder Belle

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Client

National Park Service - National Capital Region 1

Size

1,000 SF

A modern visitor facility at the Washington Monument enhances the visitor experience and security while maintaining the historic integrity of this iconic landmark at the center of the National Mall.

BBB designed a refined contemporary visitor facility that meets long-term security, preservation, and operational requirements at the Washington Monument, a 555-foot tall marble obelisk standing as memorial to the nation’s first president on the National Mall. In collaboration with the National Park Service, BBB explored a broad range of options and conducted extensive consultation and engagement with preservation stakeholders, members of the public, and federal and state agencies, including reviews by the National Capitol Planning Commission, the US Commission of Fine Arts, the DC Historic Preservation Officer (State Historic Preservation Office), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

1922

The Washington Monument has been periodically updated since it was built in the mid-1800s. In 1901, an electric replacement of the monument’s steam-powered elevator shortened wait and ride times, which resulted in increased visitorship and outdoor queues. | photo: Library of Congress

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Post-9/11

A temporary visitor screening station was installed following the September 11 attacks, but a more permanent replacement was needed to meet long-term security goals and cultural resource management requirements at the monument.

Present Day

Completed in 2019, the forthright glass-and-steel pavilion is a welcoming passageway that balances the expectation for an open and direct route to the monument’s historic East portal with the security required by perceived threats.

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Following approvals, BBB advanced the design of this graceful and functional addition including the integration of a geothermal heating and cooling system that allows the glass roof to remain clear and provide visitors a full height view of the monument.