Concept Unveiled for New National Museum of the United States Navy

We are excited to share our concept for the planned new National Museum of the United States Navy, unveiled at an event alongside our collaborators Bjarke Ingels Group and Squint/Opera!

The competition is an important conceptual and artistic process toward creating a state-of-the-art museum and community institution – a home for both Naval veterans and the public, a living memorial to the U.S. Navy’s heritage, a lighthouse for education and public events.

Our vision for the planned new museum reflects the historical context of the Navy Yards, while referencing the scale, materials, and details of Navy vessels. An array of large-scale vitrines opens up towards a public street, welcoming visitors and locals with an impressive glimpse into the museum’s collection of artifacts inside and outside, conveying the mission, lineage, and breadth of operations that constitutes the US Navy.

Learn more here.

Images courtesy of BIG

Inside the Design Process for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

Nestled between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial design is underway! 

The OLIN team is drawing inspiration from the dunes and oases of the Kuwaiti desert landscape, as well as other symbolic elements, to commemorate the sacrifices and collaboration of the coalition nations that served during the conflict. 

As part of the design process, the team is creating life-size mockups of the memorial walls and art, such as the Bald eagle and Saker falcon, the national birds of the United States and Kuwait, respectively. This helps the team understand what materials, angles, and dimensions work best to create a meaningful and compelling memorial experience for visitors.

Learn more about the Memorial here.

Images courtesy of Robert J. Eccleston

Construction Complete for Soilless Soil Pilot Site!

With funding from the EPA, the research team is collaborating with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) to retrofit a Fairmont Park stormwater bioretention basin that was previously damaged in Hurricane Ida. Building on our past research in the greenhouse and lab, the team is designing the pilot bioretention basin, testing the performance of GBS under real-world conditions. By monitoring the basin from Fall 2022 through Fall 2023, we’ll expand our understanding of GBS’ effects on water flow and quality, and its suitability as a planting medium. 

Learn more about Soilless Soil here.

Images courtesy of EL&P