NASA
Auditorium | Government | High Technology | Assembly Space
Client | GSA
Location | Washington | DC
Size | 4,000 SF | 372 SM
Awards |
AIA-DC Chapter Award of Excellence
GSA-Public Building Service | GSA Design Award Citation
ID Magazine 40th Design Competition Distinction Award
IBD-National Outstanding Achievement Award
Progressive Architecture ‘Young Architects’ Award
IBD National, Outstanding Achievement Award
Publications |
Architecture Magazine
ID Magazine
Inform Architecture and Design
Interior Design Magazine Auditorium
Progressive Architecture Magazine The Young Architects Issue
Collier Encyclopaedia of Design
Project Description | A flexible design allowing for the upgrade of infrastructure and equipment.
To capture NASA’s mission “to boldly expand frontiers in air and space; to inspire, serve and benefit humanity”.
The design approach was based on creating an environment whose interconnected parts can be easily disassembled for maintenance and repair, but when connected form a complete entity, much like the design of spaceships and stations.
A series of abstract and overlapping grid systems form A three-dimensional architectural mesh that becomes the interior facades of the auditorium and its proscenium.
Contrasting to this rigid geometry is the kinetic form of the ceiling. A wave-like undulating ceiling is designed to flow over the entire seating area. It is contoured to meet exacting acoustical requirements and segmented to meet theatrical lighting requirements.
A curvilinear light batten running through the central spine of the wave together with a series of perpendicular battens provides total flexibility for focusing on theatrical and architectural lights everywhere in the space. The mechanical systems are integrated into this ceiling providing an architectural machine that functions as a whole.
Photographs | Courtesy of and with permission from Group Goetz Architects (d. 2o11).
