Projects

National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)

Services

Cost Management

Sectors

Cultural Institutions

National Museum of the American Indian Museum in Washington, DC

About The Project

The National Museum of the American Indian, devoted to the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, is part of the Smithsonian Institution group of museums and research centers. CCS executed a Facilities Master Plan for the museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and the Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, MD. NMAI has one of the most extensive collections of Native American art and artifacts in the world — more than 825,000 objects, representing over 12,000 years of history, from more than 1,200 indigenous cultures through the Western Hemisphere. The NMAI is embarking on its first master plan since opening its initial facilities and this project will result in a 20-year, 2-phase Master Plan for these locations.

Phase I: Strategic Existing Conditions Study

CCS’ Existing Conditions Study will address how well current facilities meet the NMAI’s mission and support its programs, collections, visitors, Native communities, and staff. Key opportunities for improvement and remedies for deficiencies will be identified and geospatial information and character-defining elements will be documented. 

Phase II: Facilities Development Plan

CCS will complete a report based on an analysis of the facility needs and opportunities and a statement of achievable physical facilities preservation and design objectives will be developed.  The report will identify areas of reconfiguration, potential additions of new space, and sustainability and safety issues.  Conceptual master plan-level designs with alternates will be developed and an implementation (phasing or sequencing) plan will be broken down into short, mid, and longer-term projects to implement over a period of 20 years.