For Immediate Release: August 25, 2011
Media Contacts: Emma Filar, Marketing & Communications Associate
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National Building Museum is Open after a Post-Earthquake Inspection
Two LEGO® Architecture Models Were Slightly Damaged by the Tremor
Washington, D.C.: The National Building Museum is once again open with its regular hours, 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
The National Building Museum was temporarily closed following Tuesday’s earthquake pending an inspection by a structural engineer to ensure the safety of visitors and occupants. No major structural issues were discovered and the building was reopened to visitors and tenants Thursday morning.
Most of the Museum’s current exhibitions, including Designing Tomorrow: America’s World’s Fairs of the 1930s, Walls Speak: The Narrative Art of Hildreth Meière, and Washington: Symbol & City, and collections suffered no damage.
The Museum’s LEGO® Architecture: Towering Ambition exhibition survived the earthquake with some disturbance. LEGO® Architecture features 15 large-scale models of some of the world’s most famous buildings made entirely of LEGO® bricks. The limited damage is a feat of engineering since no glue or adhesive material holds the bricks together.
Thirteen of the 15 structures survived the earthquake unscathed. The models of the Burj Khalifa and the Empire State Building suffered minor damage that can and will be repaired. All 15 models were made by Adam Reed Tucker, one of 11 LEGO® Certified Professionals worldwide, and we anticipate Mr. Tucker returning to the museum to make the necessary repairs.
The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest model in the exhibition. It stands 17’6” tall and uses 450,300 LEGO® pieces. It took 280 hours to design and 340 hours to build. Just over a quarter of the building at the top toppled during the earthquake.
The Empire State Building
This model is 7’6” and uses 12,200 LEGO® pieces. It took 100 hours to design and 150 hours to build. It lost pieces at the top, including the building’s spire, and has sustained minor structural damage to the body.
The public is able to view all 15 models.
LEGO® Architecture: Towering Ambition is on view at the National Building Museum through September 3, 2012.
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
