Perkins&Will is one of the five finalists selected for the national design competition for the new National Museum of the United States Navy. The other finalists include DLR Group, Frank Gehry Partners, Quinn Evans, and BIG. This competition, organized by the Naval Heritage History and Command (NHHC), aims to create a modern museum featuring a new building and a ceremonial courtyard. The space will serve as a place for Navy veterans and the public to honor and reflect on the Navy’s heritage and values.
The planned park will cover approximately 25,083.8 square meters (270,000 square feet), including 9,290.3 square meters (100,000 square feet) dedicated to gallery space. The Navy’s preferred location for the museum is near the Washington Naval Shipyard.
Perkins&Will’s design draws inspiration from extensive research and interviews with active and retired US Navy personnel. The core values of the Navy—strength, commitment, integrity, courage, honor, and positivity—serve as the foundation for the concept. The design team viewed this competition as an opportunity to revisit naval culture and achievements, using them as a basis to share this powerful story with the public.
The Art Vision competition is hosted by architect Ralph Johnson, known for designing the United States Coast Guard headquarters in Washington D.C. and the Dreadnought Sea and Air Museum in New York City.
The museum is envisioned as a “living memorial” that bridges the past and future of the US Navy. The building’s sail-shaped design evokes the image of a fleet, while a ceremonial courtyard offers visitors a profound sense of honor. Upon entering, visitors cross a gangway over water, simulating boarding a ship. This maritime theme continues inside the museum’s atrium, reminiscent of a ship’s hull design.
The Underground, Surface, Exploration, Aviation, and Space (SSEAS) exhibition hall is planned as a landmark attraction. It will feature an interactive digital earth and immersive installations, guiding visitors through a “technological odyssey” reflecting the Navy’s advancements.
The museum experience is enriched by the inclusion of significant cultural artifacts and historic sites. One highlight is the observation platform atop the Constitution Struggle Mast—part of the oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy. This will be assembled within the atrium, allowing visitors to engage with it from various heights and perspectives.
Additionally, the museum floor will feature a full-scale outline of the US Navy Constitution’s deck, helping visitors envision life aboard during ocean voyages. Other displayed relics will include a helicopter, a swiftlet boat navigating swampland, and a naval aircraft.
“Our concept places visitors at the intersection of the three fundamental forces shaping the United States Navy—land, sea, and air. This embodies the Navy’s honor, courage, and commitment.” — Ralph Johnson, Global Design Director, Perkins&Will
The five finalist projects were revealed at a public event held at the Washington Naval Shipyard. The final design proposals will remain on display at the National Museum of the Navy in the Washington Naval Shipyard for public viewing.
Out of 80 companies expressing interest, 37 met the qualification criteria. A jury selected the five shortlisted firms. Among them, BIG proposed a concept that reflects the naval shipyard’s historical context through scale, materials, and details inspired by naval vessels.
Project Drawings
△ Sectional perspective
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