Summer 'Icebergs' in DC
John Hill
5. July 2016
ICEBERGS at the National Building Museum, by James Corner Field Operations. (Photo: Timothy Schenck)
Over the weekend the National Building Museum (NBM) in Washington, DC, opened ICEBERGS, an installation designed by James Corner Field Operations for the museum's huge Great Hall.
ICEBERGS at the National Building Museum, by James Corner Field Operations. (Photo: Timothy Schenck)
ICEBERGS is the third installation in the NBM's Summer Block Party series: it started in 2014 with the BIG Maze from Bjarke Ingels and continued last year with Snarkitecture's The BEACH. For 2016, James Corner Field Operations has inserted some subliminal relief from the heat with ICEBERGS, which will be on display until September 5th.
ICEBERGS at the National Building Museum, by James Corner Field Operations. (Photo: Timothy Schenck)
Made from scaffolding and polycarbonate panels, ICEBERGS is made up of two realms: above and below the "water line" that aligns with the second-floor gallery of the atrium. Pyramidal geometries project below the blue overhead plane to create a captivating spatial experience, with access to the tallest "berg" enabling visitors to pop up above the "water." Shaved-ice snacks complete the cool times in the Great Hall.
ICEBERGS at the National Building Museum, by James Corner Field Operations. (Photo: Timothy Schenck)
The installation isn't all summertime fun, though. Through its subject matter, ICEBERGS makes visitors consider the ominous nature of our 21st century reality with its melting ice and rising waters.