SM&W Contribution
SM&W provided acoustical, audiovisual, IT Infrastructure and security consulting expertise for the new National Museum of the United States Army. The LEED Silver, $220-million facility features the Army’s history from 1775 to the present day with over 750,000 artifacts, state-of-the-art technology and first-person soldier stories. The museum includes over 85,000 SF of exhibit space, 3 major galleries, a store, an outdoor Medal of Honor Garden on the Second Floor, a 300-degree theater seating up to 125 people, and parade grounds for re-enactments all sitting on 84 acres on the Fort Belvoir Military Installation.
SM&W acousticians performed a structural analysis of the museum, provided recommendations for partitions and finishes in the exhibit halls and theater, and conducted a noise traffic study to determine the effect of traffic on outdoor programs. Our audiovisual specialists designed the audio and video systems for the amphitheater, the lobby, the parade ground, a divisible meeting room and offices. The outdoor spaces have public address and projection systems as well as audio and video recording capabilities.
Our IT design provides inside- and outside-plant pathway systems for the museum and grounds, while our security design encompassed intrusion detection, electronic security and closed-circuit television systems. SM&W also provided a security risk assessment as part of the initial design efforts.
Awards and Associated Press:
- 2021 AIA DC Design Award
- 2020 Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award
- 2020 Metal Architecture Magazine Design Award
