On March 15th Archinect reported the announcement of the National Building Museum's new Executive Director, Aileen Fuchs. As Covid-19 safety protocols continue to evolve and vaccine distribution continues, museums and other public institutions prepare to reopen their doors in the coming months. 

Today, the Museum announced its reopening on April 9th after a 16-month closure. Interim Executive Director Brent Glass shared, "The National Building Museum is reopening with new leadership and an impressive lineup of exhibitions. We are delighted that the public can return to our home in the historic Pension Building and again experience the extraordinary Great Hall, one of Washington's most important interior spaces."

In addition to its ongoing exhibitions like House & Home, the Museum will showcase three new exhibitions that focus on relevant topics related to the built environment. The non-profit architecture firm, MASS Design Group, has continued to lead projects focusing on design justice, public health, and advocacy. Their upcoming exhibition, Justice is Beauty: The Work of MASS Design Group presents past projects complete with photographs of built works and models. Their exhibition will be on display from now through September 2022.

MASS Design Group will also showcase the Gun Violence Memorial Project. Created as "a tribute to the thousands of lives lost to gun violence in America," the exhibition consists of 700 glass bricks that make up four houses. According to the firm, each brick references "the number of people in the U.S. killed by guns every week." A moving installation that made its debut at the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial, MASS Design Studio worked with conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas to develop the installation. 

In light of the horrendous shootings and lives lost in Atlanta, Georgia, and Boulder, Colorado, the Memorial is a timely yet saddening reminder of ongoing gun violence in the United States. Developed in partnership with two gun violence prevention organizations, Purpose Over Pain and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, the exhibition will be on display from now through September 2022. 

The third exhibition will feature the works of Alan Karchmer. Highlighting the famed architectural photographer, the exhibition titled Alan Karchmer: The Architects' Photographer will showcase "Karchmer's iconic portraits of works by some of the world's most influential designers and firms, as well as personal images and artifacts that shed light on the photographer's work." The exhibition will be on display from now until June 2022.

The Museum and Museum Shop will be open from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm, Fridays through Sundays. All visitors must follow all D.C. government COVID guidelines regarding building and gallery space visitor capacities. Masks are required for all visitors at all times.

Interested in learning about other museums and their plans of reopening? View related news below.

• Three museums in the LA County announce plans to open doors to the public
• Construction completes on Renzo Piano's long-awaited Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in LA