year
2023
location
Washington, DC
design studio
Bjarke Ingels Group
role
Project Designer, Concept Design & Visioning
project phases
Competition
A New Flagship for the Navy
In early 2023, the United States Navy and the Naval History and Heritage Command invited five architectural practices to envision a new National Museum. Planned for a site adjacent to the historic Washington Navy Yard, the museum will offer a comprehensive look at the Navy’s past, present, and future.
The proposed vision for the new museum drew inspiration from the Navy’s rich architectural and material heritage—referencing timber shipbuilding techniques and historic naval warehouses—while embracing a contemporary, forward-looking aesthetic. The result is a bold and modern vision that reflects the Navy’s evolving identity and enduring legacy.
The Five Branches
The five distinct wings of the museum pay tribute to the five branches of the U.S. Navy. Like the branches themselves, these wings operate independently yet remain connected—organized by a central spine that anchors and unifies the building’s interior.
Along the north façade, the museum presents a series of stepping volumes that define its primary street presence. Each glazed volume acts as a monumental vitrine, offering passersby a curated glimpse into the galleries within. These transparent moments create a strong visual connection between the public and the museum, inviting curiosity and engagement from the outside in.
Inside the Ship
Inside, the museum unfolds as a curated sequence of galleries that guide visitors through the history of the U.S. Navy across the decades. Located within the building’s five wings, each gallery offers expansive exhibition space and is illuminated by a continuous skylight that brings in natural light.
At the heart of the museum, a central atrium connects all galleries and serves as an orienting hub. This grand space showcases some of the museum’s largest artifacts and offers clear sightlines to each wing, making navigation intuitive. Designed with flexibility in mind, the atrium also accommodates large-scale Navy events and ceremonies.
Presenting to the Secretary
At the conclusion of the competition, our team was invited to present our vision at the existing U.S. Navy Museum within the Washington Navy Yard. The public event drew a large audience, including active-duty Navy officers and other stakeholders, offering a valuable opportunity to engage in dialogue about the future museum. The event also featured a keynote address by the Secretary of the Navy, who spoke about the significance of the project and highlighted the work of the participating architectural teams.
