Executive Director’s Recommendation
Commission Meeting: April 6, 2017
PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER
National Museum of Natural History – 7753
South Entrance Renovation
1000 Constitution Avenue, NW, NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER
Washington, DC 1.24(38.00)44517
SUBMITTED BY APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Smithsonian Institution Approval of final site development
plans
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Federal Projects in the District PROPOSED ACTION
per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d) Approve final site development
plans
ACTION ITEM TYPE
Consent Calendar
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Smithsonian Institution has submitted final site development plans to renovate the south
entrance of the National Museum of Natural History. The museum is located along the National
Mall and is generally bounded by the 9th Street Expressway on the east, Madison Drive on the
south, the 12th Street Expressway on the west, and Constitution Avenue on the north. The primary
purpose of the project is to provide an accessible pathway to the south entrance for visitors who
cannot use stairs. The south entrance is the most heavily used entrance to the building and currently
visitors are required to ascend monumental stairs that rise more than 10 feet to gain entry to the
museum. Visitors who use mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and those with
strollers cannot climb the stairs and therefore cannot use the south entrance. Therefore, the
proposed project would modify the south entrance to support a universal experience for all visitors
through a gradual sloped walkway with an intermediate place to rest, and appropriate clearance
for passaging and turning.
The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is proposing a symmetrical switchback walkway for the south
entrance that is sympathetic to the character of the Beaux Arts architecture of the building. The
original stair and portico will remain substantially unchanged and the ramp responds to the
building’s base in material and form. Perimeter security will be primarily integrated into the walls
of the ramp with new bollards proposed at the base of each ramp. The project also includes
replacing the existing stair handrails. These are not historic as they were added in the 1980s. The
replacement handrails will match the design used at the north entrance. The Commission has
previously reviewed the concept and preliminary plans for the proposed improvements.
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NCPC File No. 7753
KEY INFORMATION
• The National Museum of Natural History opened in 1911 and is a contributing element to
the National Mall Historic District.
• The only accessible entrance for visitors who use mobility devices is located on the north
side of the building from Constitution Avenue.
• The south entrance of the museum is approximately 10 feet above the sidewalk and
currently visitors need to climb stairs to enter the building.
• The proposed symmetrical walkway at the south entrance will provide an accessible
pathway while maintaining the character-defining stairs and portico of the building.
RECOMMENDATION
The Commission:
Approves the final site development plans for a symmetrical switchback walkway at the south
entrance of the National Museum of Natural History, located at 1000 Constitution Avenue, NW in
Washington, DC.
PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE
Previous actions July 2016 – Comments of Concept Plans
December 2016 – Preliminary Approval
Remaining actions – None
(anticipated)
PROJECT ANALYSIS
Executive Summary
The renovation of the south entrance of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) will
provide an accessible sloped walkway for visitors who are not able to climb the existing
monumental stairs. The south entrance is the most heavily used entrance to the building and is
approximately 10-feet above the sidewalk level. Currently, the only accessible entrance is located
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NCPC File No. 7753
on the north side of the building along Constitution Avenue. The site is five acres in size, and
therefore it can be a long distance for visitors to travel who arrive from the south and are not able
to climb the stairs. The symmetrical switchback ramp is sympathetic to the character of the Beaux
Arts building and allows the existing stair and portico to remain relatively unchanged. In response
to the Commission’s comments at preliminary review, SI has further refined elements of the
design, including the handrails, material palette and stormwater strategy. These modifications have
improved the design, and balanced historic preservation concerns with accessibility needs. As
such, staff recommends the Commission approve the final site development plans for a
symmetrical switchback walkway at the south entrance of the National Museum of Natural
History, located at 1000 Constitution Avenue, NW in Washington, DC.
Project Background
The NMNH opened in 1911 and for a time was one of the largest public buildings in Washington,
DC. The museum was the first building on the National Mall to reflect the ideals of the McMillan
Plan. The four-story building is of steel-frame construction and has a granite façade. Its main
elevation faces south toward the National Mall and features a central portico supported by six
Corinthian columns. The Roman dome has a double shell construction. On either side of the central
entrance are two symmetrical pavilions with eleven bays. On the north side of the building, the
projecting entrance is flanked by symmetrical wings with nine bays. Both the north and south
facades feature double-height windows with decorative rosettes. Between 1961 and 1965, the
museum was expanded and symmetrical wings were constructed on the east and west elevations.
The building is a contributing element to the National Mall Historic District. The south portico
and entry stairs are character-defining features of the building, and in order to avoid adverse effects
to these elements, several options for an accessible walk were considered. Alternatives included
an asymmetrical approach with one ramp on the west with a steeper incline and a switchback ramp
on the east as well as a symmetrical curved ramp. Both of these alternatives would alter the
character of the portico to a greater degree with the addition of a large upper plaza than the
proposed scheme of a symmetrical switchback walkway. In addition to the portico and entry stairs,
the building is defined by its neoclassical architectural details and overall symmetry. A
symmetrical switchback walkway has a compact footprint, responds to the architectural details of
the existing building, and minimizes potential adverse effects to the character-defining portico and
entry stairs. During the concept review, the Commission supported the Smithsonian’s preferred
concept for a symmetrical switchback walkway at the south entrance and provided several
comments.
Project Revisions
At preliminary review, the Commission approved the project and provided three comments
regarding the proposed design. In response, the applicant has made several modifications. First,
the Commission requested that the design of the handrails and stone base be further refined to
reduce their visual prominence and increase compatibility with the historic museum building. In
general, a simpler design approach is appropriate as it preserves the visual prominence of the
historic museum building and allows the ramps to be complementary features. The applicant has
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NCPC File No. 7753
therefore simplified the masonry detailing of the ramp to be less prominent than previously
proposed. In particular, only one stone (Lake Placid granite) is used, with subtle alternating
coursing that relates to the coursing of the existing building. Simple letter is engraved into the
stone at the entry to each ramp, indicating “Smithsonian Institution” and “National Museum of
Natural History.”
The guardrails have also been refined, while retaining their original grass-like form. In particular,
the picket spacing has been increased to the maximum permitted by code and the inflection point
for each grass “blade” has been shifted higher on the panel. The combined effect is a more
transparent railing system that retains its reference to nature. Staff supports these changes.
Secondly, the Commission recommended a lighting approach that is complementary to the historic
museum building, while providing appropriate levels of illumination for safety and accessibility.
The proposal includes three elements: linear LED lighting integrated into the ramp handrail; linear
LED lighting located beneath the benches and signage; and lantern features located at the portion
near the ramp landing. The applicant has provided additional drawings and renderings that confirm
the lighting will remain subdued while preserving the prominence of the museum building. As
such, staff supports the lighting approach.
Finally, the Commission requested that SI prepare a stormwater management plan consistent with
Federal and local requirements. The applicant has responded with a stormwater management
strategy consistent with both District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
(DOEE) and federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requirements. The plan
includes the integration of two bioretention areas within the parking court. The planted areas will
collect rainwater from the terrace and upper walkways. Water will be filtered and released slowly
into the stormwater system. Staff finds this strategy to be functional and compatible with the
context.
CONFORMANCE TO EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES AND RELATED GUIDANCE
Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital
The renovation of the south entrance of NMNH is consistent with policies in the Federal Elements
of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. Specific policies contained within the Visitors
and Preservation and Historic Features Elements of the Comprehensive Plan support the proposed
plans.
National Historic Preservation Act
The Smithsonian Institution and NCPC have an independent responsibility to satisfy the
requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Following consultation
with NCPC staff and the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office (DC SHPO), the
Smithsonian determined that the project would not adversely affect historic properties. The
Smithsonian initiated consultation with the DC SHPO in December 2015. On March 3, 2017, the
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NCPC File No. 7753
DC SHPO concurred with the Smithsonian’s determination stating “We consider the revised wall
coursing to be much improved and, although we continue to advocate for a more traditional
approach, we believe the “grass-like” handrails have been simplified enough to avoid an adverse
effect.” NCPC has elected to designate the Smithsonian Institution as lead agency pursuant to 36
CFR § 800.2(a)(2) to satisfy the Commission’s Section 106 responsibility.
National Environmental Policy Act
NCPC is responsible for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the
Commission’s approval of the project. Staff has evaluated the submission and has determined that
approval of the project meets NCPC’s categorical exclusion §8(C)(2) of the Commission’s
Environmental and Historic Preservation Policies and Procedures. This categorical exclusion
applies to the repair, replacement, and routine installation of components such as windows, doors,
roofs; and site elements such as site or building identification signs, sidewalks, patios, fences,
retaining walls, curbs, or gates. Prior to applying this categorical exclusion, NCPC staff determined
that no extraordinary circumstances were present as required by the Commission’s NEPA
procedures.
CONSULTATION
Coordinating Committee
The Coordinating Committee reviewed the final site development plans at their March 15, 2017
meeting. The Committee forwarded the proposal to the Commission with the statement that it has
been coordinated with all participating agencies. The participating agencies were: NCPC; the
National Park Service; the District of Columbia Office of Planning; the District of Columbia
Department of Transportation; the DOEE; the General Services Administration; the District of
Columbia State Historic Preservation Office (DCSHPO); and the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Authority.
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
The US Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) first reviewed the project on June 16, 2016 and approved
the concept design. A revised concept design was reviewed on October 20, 2016. At that time,
CFA “expressed general support for the configuration and operation of the proposed access ramps,
commenting favorably on what they characterized as an elegant design. However, they made
several suggestions for refining the design of the figural metal railing panels along the ramps,
observing that the proposed punched fabrication method would make the naturalistic grass pattern
appear unsuitably flat. They recommended further study of this element, possibly developing a
less figural design that is more appropriate with the likely fabrication method.” The CFA reviewed
the proposal again on November 17, 2016.
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On March 16, 2017, the CFA approved the final plans, and indicated their appreciation for the
evolution of the design. The CFA also requested the applicant further investigate, in coordination
with staff, the transition and termination of the guard and handrails at the portico, details regarding
the handrail assembly and the planting colors.
ONLINE REFERENCE
The following supporting documents for this project are available online:
• Submission Package
• Project Summary
Prepared by Matthew Flis
03/30/2017
POWERPOINT (ATTACHED)
NCPC File #: 7753
National Museum of Natural History
South Entrance Renovation
10th and Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
_______________
Smithsonian Institution
Final Site Development Plans
Site Location
3
Existing Conditions
Approach from southwest Approach from south Approach from southeast
4
Historic Photos
5
History
6
Preservation Zones
7
Existing Character - Materials
8
Existing Site Plan
9
Proposed Site Plan
10
Project Elevation - South
11
Project Elevation - South
12
Project Elevation – North/East
13
Guardrail / Handrail Diagram
14
Railing Studies
15
Guard Rail / Hand Rail Intersection
16
Grass Panel Railing
17
Grass Panel Railing
18
Proposed Lighting
19
Proposed Lighting
20
Proposed Lighting
21
Proposed Lighting
22
Proposed Lighting
23
Wall Material Palette
24
Integrated Signage
25
Paving Palette
26
Project Rendering
27
Project Rendering
28
Project Rendering
29
Project Rendering
30
Plant Palette
31
Plant Palette
32
