Museum Gift Shop
Project Details
Year: Fall 2023
Project Type: Retail
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs Used: SketchUp
The African Diaspora is the voluntary and involuntary movements of Africans and their descendants to various parts of the world during the modern and pre-modern periods. Acting as “the beginning of it all,” the gift shop transforms into a miniature representation of the extensive cultural voyage that left Africa and spread over the world.
Design Concept
Lead designer and architect David Adjaye opened the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) on September 24, 2016. It is the National Mall’s newest and most modern structure. The building divides itself into the floors on the surface (modern history) and the underground levels (ancient history)
Thought Process and Graphics
Parti Diagram
“Layers”
POS
Pre-Modern History Merchandise
Modern History Merchandise
Space Planning
POS
Table Display
Arch Display
Higher Shelving Display
Lower Shelving Display
Floor Plan
RCP
In addition to the recessed lighting currently existing throughout the dropped ceilings, a unique light fixture that serves both as an easter egg and an accent piece would dangle in the center. It will be a bespoke light that mimics the journey of the African Diaspora. It also doubles as a method of wayfinding.
African Diaspora
Custom-Built Displays
Custom shelves will be made in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs to mock the diaspora movement with free-flowing movements.
Every shelf will be dyed in different shades of brown tones to signify diversity and every central shelf will have a maximum height of 54 inches for easy visualization and location acknowledgment.