National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institute East Court Infill
Washington DC

National Museum of Natural History

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This 120,000 sf nine-story building houses the Smithsonian's Department of Entomology and offers a full compliment of office space, collection storage areas and support facilities.  As the name of the the project might suggest, the new structure was erected within a completely enclosed courtyard of this world-renowned museum and research-facility.  Special care was taken to ensure the safety of institution staff and public visitors.

Major components of the East Court Infill include a rare book library, a public education center, a day care facility, administrative offices, areas for entomological research and specimen storage, staff lounges, and public amenities.

A unique design element of the building is a six-story light court that surrounds the new addition.  This glass enclosed feature allows large amounts of natural light to bathe the entire perimeter of the addition, including the principal public level on the main floor, throughout the year.