SOM's Gordon Bunshaft designed the massive cylindrical form of the Hirshhorn Museum specifically for the exhibition, study, and storage of Joseph Hirshhorn's art collection, one of the major modern painting and sculpture collections in the United States. The architectural design allows the flow of space around and under the circular form, extending the visual experience to the other buildings of the Smithsonian and expressing internal circulation.

Project Facts

Completion Year: 1974
Site Area: 4 acres
Project Area: 176,000 ft²
Building Height: 82 ft
Number of Stories: 3

Project Awards

1975 • Prestressed Concrete Institute • Award
1976 • New York Association of Consulting Engineers - Structural Building Division • Award