National Museum of the American People

This museum will tell the story of all of the people who became Americans from the prehistoric period through today and is expected to attract several million visitors each year. The museum will include more than 400,000 square feet of space devoted to exhibitions, collections, education resources, genealogical research, films and a major scholars' center.

Located at the Banneker Overlook site, the museum will serve to link the National Mall and the Southwest Waterfront - two central spaces in Washington, D.C. These spaces are along Maine Avenue, which is undergoing a major redevelopment that will include condos, shops, restaurants, a river walk and other amenities to attract visitors.

Developed by MTFA Architecture, the design envisions four soaring structures arising from the central grass-covered roof of the central building recalling flags of nations over a landscape of waves. During the day, the textures of the concrete "flags" will constantly change with the movement of the sun's shadows across the facade. At night, films can be projected onto these surfaces. The design calls for a state-of-the-art green building that will serve as a model for the Southwest ecodistrict. This will be America's only national institution devoted exclusively to telling the full story of the making of the American people.