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Museum previews addition to increase visibility and visitor circulation at Oklahoma City National Memorial
Summary
Architects presented a schematic for the National Memorial Museum addition called "Forward," proposing a larger lobby, transparent south facade and reconfigured children's area; commissioners provided feedback on tree protection, children's area safety and signage.
Architects presented a preliminary design Sept. 18 for an addition to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum intended to increase visibility from the memorial grounds and expand lobby and visitor circulation. The presentation was informational; no action was required.
Ben de Cooper of Boots Architects and the project team described the "Forward" addition as a programmatic expansion to create a larger lobby to meet modern security needs, improve lines of sight between the memorial and the museum, and draw visitors who may not realize a museum is located at the corner of Northwest Sixth and Harvey. The team said the addition would double the existing lobby footprint and emphasize a transparent south facade and vertical circulation visible from the memorial.
The design will adapt the existing children's area and preserve or reuse as many existing materials and tiles as possible. De Cooper said the project team would protect the root zones of four corner trees and spade and temporarily relocate up to 11 trees within the construction fence; the team hopes to replant four from that spade inventory after construction.
Commissioners praised the sensitivity of the design and expressed particular appreciation for tree protection, the proposed sandstone paving material to match existing flagstone, and the plan to reuse Hackett stone benches and children—s tiles. One commissioner encouraged careful attention to the children's area sightlines, given the new location closer to vehicular traffic, and suggested bollards and other subtle protective measures rather than a taller fence to preserve public access and views.
The museum—s leadership — including Carrie Watkins, president and CEO, and Chris Fleming, incoming board chair, who were present — described the goals of improving visitor awareness and increasing museum attendance while preserving the memorial—s symbolic elements such as the rescuers orchard and the flagstone path.
Project timeline presented at the meeting anticipates construction documents issued in November and a hoped‑for museum opening in April 2027. Commissioners offered no formal objections and provided early comments for the design team to incorporate before the commission hears the Certificate of Appropriateness application in October.
