Since the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened in 1974, its collection and programs have grown and evolved, establishing the Hirshhorn as one of the most visited modern art museums in the country. The campus is currently undergoing transformative improvements: repairs have been made to the Museum building’s roof and envelope, and the revitalization of the Sculpture Garden is underway. The Smithsonian Institution and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden are starting design on a new project that will renovate the Hirshhorn Museum and plaza to support its current and future needs.
These projects enable the Hirshhorn to fulfill its mission as a national museum and support its expanded programming and collections, as well as enhancing visitor experience and addressing critical infrastructure needs.
Museum & Plaza Revitalization
Design work will consider ways to upgrade infrastructure, accessibility, and security, and expand and improve amenities and operational and programming space to enhance the visitor experience and meet the needs of projected significant increases in visitation. This revitalization of the Hirshhorn Museum and plaza will ensure the highest standards in collection stewardship and Museum operations.
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is a contributing resource to the National Mall Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and this project is subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The Smithsonian Institution will conduct a series of public meetings as design progresses concerning Section 106 consultation. The Smithsonian’s Architectural History and Historic Preservation office houses assets including meeting information, registration and documents, project overview, and reference documents.
The southern exterior of the Hirshhorn Museum and plaza from Independence Avenue in 2023
Sculpture Garden
The revitalization of the Hirshhorn’s Sculpture Garden on the National Mall was introduced in spring 2019 and, following the public consultation process, received approval in late 2022. A groundbreaking signaling the start of the transformative project was attended by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden; Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III; artists such as Hiroshi Sugimoto, Laurie Anderson, Jeff Koons, Liz Larner, Tony Oursler, Adam Pendleton, and Ami Yamasaki; and members of the Smithsonian and Hirshhorn boards on November 16, 2022. In early 2023, the Hirshhorn’s Sculpture Garden closed for revitalization. Many of the sculptures, including masterworks by Lucio Fontana, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Sterling Ruby, and Auguste Rodin, have been temporarily installed on the Hirshhorn plaza.
Renderings of the new design of the Hirshhorn’s Sculpture Garden that reconnect the outdoor galleries on the National Mall to the Museum’s plaza.
ROOF AND ENVELOPE REPAIR
The Smithsonian Institution and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden created a unique design approach for the rehabilitation of the concrete drum and aggregate concrete precast panels. The project addressed deficiencies in the original construction that resulted in installation defects, panel distress, and poor energy performance. Construction on the envelope repair began in the fall of 2020 and was undertaken while the Museum was operational. A monumental scrim designed by contemporary Swiss artist Nicolas Party wrapped the repairs to the midcentury building, integrating the Museum’s mission into the construction effort. The repairs have been completed successfully.
Project Milestones
- Hirshhorn Breaks Ground on Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Revitalized Sculpture Garden, Nov. 16, 2022
- Hirshhorn Wins Approval for Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Sculpture Garden Revitalization, Dec. 2, 2021
- Hirshhorn Nearing Final Design for Its Sculpture Garden Revitalization, March 10, 2021
- Hirshhorn’s Concept for Revitalized Sculpture Garden Approved Unanimously by National Capital Planning Commission and Commission of Fine Arts, June 6, 2019
- Hirshhorn to Revitalize Sculpture Garden for the 21st Century, March 11, 2019
An archive of the public process can be found on the Smithsonian’s Architectural History & Historic Preservation site.
