moshe safdie: united states institute of peace

‘united states institute of peace’ by safdie architects, washington, DC, united states all images © timothy hursley

completed by international firm safdie architects, the ‘united states institute of peace’ positioned on the national mall in washington, DC is opening to the public this fall. located at the convergence of 23rd street and constitution avenue, the organization’s first headquarters will support their daily activities regularly involving international conflict management. programmatic spaces include administrative offices, research archive, library, conference center and an educational center dedicated to the importance of peacemaking.

exterior view

an undulating spherical roof spans two interior atriums guiding employees views towards the adjacent potomac river and the lincoln memorial on the mall.  announcing the entrances are cantilevered wing-like structural canopies formed with steel frames and enclosed with white translucent glass. opaque during the day and glowing at night, the building is visible from many significant landmarks in the area including the regularly traversed bridges leading into the city.

exterior from constitution avenue

view of south facade

view of south facade

roof from atrium

view of lincoln memorial from atrium

bridge

atrium interior

north atrium

view from the southwest

view of the national mall

project info:

client: united states institute of peace public opening: september 2011 total area: 150,000 square feet total cost: 186 million USD