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NCPC approves preliminary plans for Bezos Learning Center at NASM, asks for lighting and landscape studies
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Summary
NCPC advanced preliminary approval for the Smithsonian Institution’s Integrated Bezos Learning Center at the National Air and Space Museum, endorsing the spiral design and material palette but asking for further study of facade lighting, shade in the Astronomy Park, paving extent and program capacity; two commissioners abstained in the roll call.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve preliminary site and building plans for the National Air and Space Museum’s Integrated Bezos Learning Center (BLC), an approximately 80,000‑square‑foot, three‑story addition proposed for the museum’s east end.
NCPC staff described the project as a spiral‑form addition that places public programming on the upper two floors, connects to NASM via a new vestibule and adds two outdoor gathering spaces including an Astronomy Park that will permanently locate the Phoebe Waterman Haase Observatory. The ground floor will include a 600–700‑seat restaurant and a new student and school entrance, staff said.
Design refinements presented to the commission included a titanium‑tone aluminum panel facade with tapered fins and integrated lighting, a three‑story clear glass spiral concourse with bird‑safe frit glazing, and landscape plans that aim for roughly 30% green area consistent with the NASM revitalization plan. Staff noted a full‑scale mock‑up of the metal panel facade and requested an in‑person review of the mock‑up prior to the next submission. Staff also asked for additional study of the BLC lighting approach to avoid concentrated "hot spots," a shade and occupancy study for the Astronomy Park, and programmatic details to justify the amount of paving around the observatory.
Carly Bond, associate director for historic preservation at the Smithsonian Institution, said the institution will coordinate with NCPC staff on lighting, shade and design refinements and thanked the commission for its input. Commissioners praised the design’s dynamism and urged further refinement on exterior lighting and the relationship of the addition to the museum’s orthogonal geometry; several suggested solar panels be considered.
Bernard Byrne, during public testimony, again called for more native plantings and criticized non‑native species on the planting list; NCPC staff explained that the pollinator guide differentiates meadow landscapes (recommended to be 100% native) from designed memorial or institutional landscapes, where selected non‑native species and cultivars are allowed if they are non‑invasive and appropriate for the urban context.
Vice Chair Hewlett moved to approve the preliminary plans; Commissioner Argo seconded. Roll call recorded two abstentions (Commissioners Davis and Hassett) and the motion was announced carried.
Next steps: NCPC requested more detailed lighting mock‑up review, a shade study for the Astronomy Park, additional material and facade details and a programmatic justification for paving and occupancy limits to be included in the next submission for final review in 2025.
