Open until August 30 Following the success of The BEACH (2015) and FUNHOUSE (2018), the National Building Museum is once again partnering with New York-based design firm, Snarkitecture for a spectacular interactive summer installation. THE PLAYGROUND transforms the historic Great Hall into a monumental, sculptural landscape that reimagines the familiar experience of parks and playgrounds with a delightful twist.   Playgrounds are part of our universal memory—a […]

Building Stories brings kids and adults alike on an immersive exploration of the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design found in the pages of children’s books. Geared toward an intergenerational audience, with special attention paid to children in grades K-3 and their parents and caregivers. Curated by the nation’s leading expert on children’s literature, Leonard Marcus, Building […]

Brick City celebrates iconic architecture from cities around the world through carefully recreated constructions made from LEGO® bricks by U.K.-based artist Warren Elsmore. Visitors will take a world tour discovering new destinations across all seven continents that include: lively streetscapes from Cartagena, Colombia; Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans; intricate temples from India to Mexico; and imaginative […]

When you think of a place you’ve visited, what comes to mind? Maybe it is a popular tourist attraction, historic event, or even an impressive bridge? For centuries, travelers have sought to bring home remembrances of their adventures. The word “souvenir” comes from the French word for “memory” and can trigger recollections of places seen […]

The National Building Museum presents House & Home, a kaleidoscopic array of photographs, objects, models, and films that take us on a tour of houses both familiar and surprising, through past and present, challenging our ideas about what it means to be at home in America. Remarkable transformations in technology, laws, and consumer culture have brought […]

Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage showcases a broad range of artifacts from the Museum’s permanent collection, highlighting America’s architectural and design heritage. The exhibition provides visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with significant historical objects that were previously unavailable to the public due to their size, scope, and material. This exhibition is a testament to the Museum’s […]

A South Forty, an exhibition organized and curated by The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas, is devoted to the vibrant, distinctive contemporary architecture and design practices of the American South.  Modern architectural history in the regional context of the American South is conventionally framed by singular figures, from Paul Rudolph and […]

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” — Jane Jacobs  Coming Together: Reimagining America’s Downtowns explores the lessons learned and opportunities embraced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a period of adapting and reshaping, cities across the country are coming to terms with […]

The Tuskegee Chapel: Paul Rudolph x Fry & Welch examines the design, construction, and cultural significance of a landmark building at the heart of Tuskegee University. Designed by Paul Rudolph in 1960, revised by Fry & Welch in 1965, and built between 1967 and 1969, the chapel has served as a spiritual, educational, and social center […]

Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4978 Schools that Changed America Photographs and Stories by Andrew Feiler “It is a crime to pile up money after one has accumulated all that he needs for himself and his family. There is a stage where acquisition becomes a vice.” —Julius Rosenwald, 1918   “The picture of several […]