Dive Brief:
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The Smithsonian has proposed a $2 billion renovation of its administration building—known as the Castle—and the areas surrounding it, which could become the largest construction project ever on the National Mall.
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The world’s largest museum and historical research complex, the Smithsonian unveiled a plan that would overhaul and create new entrances to the Castle, which was built in 1855, and add two underground levels for a café, store, auditorium, and restrooms. It also would connect the Castle to three underground galleries and redesign their above-ground entrances.
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The concept, “blur[s] the boundaries between landscape and architecture,” architect Bjarke Ingels, founder of his namesake international architectural firm, which is working on the project, told The Washington Post. “We are creating an interesting relationship between what is aboveground and underground.”
Dive Insight:
The proposal phase of this ambitious project took two years to pull together, and the work, which could take as long as 20 years to complete, is unlikely to begin for at least five years.
The reason: The federal government and private donors will pay for the project, and two government agencies—the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, still must approve the proposal before any work can begin.