National Geographic Museum of Exploration

Phase two of National Geographic’s headquarters renovation brings the Museum of Exploration to DC. National Geographic enlisted Hickok Cole, OLIN, and the team to reimagine the central plaza, expand the interior experience and design a new pavilion that transforms the existing quiet entry into a dynamic destination in Washington DC. The pavilion is a showcase for storytelling, exploration and place where, visitors, members and explorers and all can meet each other and interact.

Guided by National Geographic’s mission, to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, we combined inspiration from nature with cutting-edge digital fabrication technologies to envision and then construct the unprecedented Museum of Exploration – a cultural landmark that sets new benchmarks in both scale and innovation.

A reimagined pedestrian pathway along the campus perimeter and rich, multi-sensory plaza environment activate the new campus gateway along the busy M Street corridor. National Geographic’s iconic yellow border, referencing the design of its magazine, welcomes explorers to the campus and marks the beginning of the immersive experience.

OLIN reimagined what was previously a vehicular drop-off as an engaging, multi-sensory plaza environment for children of all ages. This flexible plaza on M Street, the expanded interior experience in the repurposed buildings, and the new pavilion and its rooftop transform the existing quiet entry into a dynamic cultural landmark that builds community in Downtown Washington DC.

Native and adapted plants provide the connective tissue that brings a unique identity to the campus and highlight the National Geographic Society’s hallmark color yellow while creating new habitat for pollinators. In the entrance plaza, a series of curvilinear planters offer shaded seating and celebrate the biomes of the world and the importance of biodiversity. These islands of planters are animated by sculptures of key species designed by the NGS team. National Geographic’s iconic yellow border, referencing the design of its magazine, invites everyday explorers to the campus and marks the beginning of the immersive experience.

Location
Washington, DC

Owner
National Geographic Society

Status
In Construction

OLIN Team
Hallie Boyce, Partner-in-Charge
Greg Burrell, Construction Administration
Marzia Micali, Landscape Designer
Judy Venonsky, Living Systems Specialist