$2B Smithsonian south campus redevelopment gets revised

The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) plan to redevelop the Smithsonian’s south campus has gotten a big update. Thanks to over 2,600 people signing an online petition to save the Enid A. Haupt Garden, the plans to lift up two corners of the garden and create entrances to an underground concourse connecting the campus’ museums have been revised.

Instead, Dezeen reports that while the upturned corners remain, the planned subterranean spaces have been brought back to ground level. Instead, a bridge will span some of the terrain linking the upper and lower levels.

BIG Founder Bjarke Ingels told Dezeen, “We wanted the general feeling and fondness for the Haupt Garden to remain the same while also increasing its enjoyment and use, offering educational elements and after hour programs.”

Additional plans call for reconfigured entrance pavilions to the African Art Museum and the Sackler Gallery, an expanded visitor center, and a new education space.

BIG’s original proposal for the site was revealed in November 2014. Work is expected to begin in 2021, according to Dezeen.

For more renderings of the revised plan, head to Dezeen. For older renderings, see below.

More older renderings can be found on Curbed DC.

• BIG revises Smithsonian campus masterplan in Washington DC [Dezeen]

• Smithsonian expects $2B south campus redevelopment to start by 2022 [Curbed DC]

• What to expect from Smithsonian’s $2B master plan [Curbed DC]

• Over 500 Sign Petition to Save Enid A. Haupt Garden [Curbed DC]