Smithsonian Institution

Using the depth of knowledge the studio has in large institutional and masonry facade design, Studio Modh was the architectural member of a team of engineers and experts from the construction, testing, façade, and mining industries who evaluated a suitable replacement stone for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. For approximately one year, Studio Modh was a member of the team that performed critical evaluations to empower the Owner and Architect of Record to make a decision on the selection of 200,000 square feet of replacement stone on the facade of the nearly sixty year old modern building.

This service included:

1. A national evaluation of stones and stone sources that could meet the performative, aesthetic, and fabrication needs of the project. This yielded some eighty stones that were cataloged and researched for consideration.

2. Preliminary interview process of vendors to assess viability of resources

3. Production of a Request for Information to assess the various capabilities of the companies, previous track record of installation, and ability to achieve aesthetic criteria.

4. Site visits to quarries and fabrication facilities across the U.S. to review mining operations and factory performance.

5. Review of historic and more recent projects to assess weathering and other visible performance criteria

6. Production of a two volume report documenting research of all materials and recommendations by the team to the Owner.

Study Completed 2016

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Photography by Studio Modh

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