The new National Medal of Honor Museum suspends a massive exhibition hall in the air, evoking medal recipients’ heroic feats
In the Entertainment District of Arlington, Texas, the recently opened National Medal of Honor Museum suspends a massive structure in the air, suggesting the heroic feats that the Medal of Honor recognizes.
The central feature of the 102,000-sf building designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects is the Exhibition Hall—a steel structure measuring 200 ft by 200 ft and hovering 40 ft above the ground. Clad in metal panels to evoke the strength of fire-forged steel, the structure contains the main exhibition spaces.
The Exhibition Hall is supported by five large columns that each represent a traditional branch of the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy). The sixth branch, Space Force, is represented by a large opening in the suspended volume that fills the space with natural light.
“The Museum is more than a building; it is a living tribute to the heroes who have shaped our nation,” Román Viñoly, Partner at Rafael Viñoly Architects, said in a statement. “Its architecture aims to inspire visitors to recognize the heroic qualities of Medal of Honor Recipients and to cultivate them within themselves, fostering a culture of everyday heroism and sacrifice for the public good.”
Visitors enter the Museum via the Rotunda of Honor, a sunken and shaded open-air courtyard that also serves as a public gathering space. Guests access the Exhibition Hall either by climbing two spiral staircases or through glass-clad elevators. Once inside, an orientation gallery leads to the main exhibition space.
Experience design studio G&A crafted the exhibits. At the center, a grand circular theater welcomes visitors with an introductory film tribute. Surrounding the theater are immersive exhibits, including interactive panoramic scenes, a virtual helicopter flight simulation, personal artifact displays, and large-scale graphics with the biographies of Medal of Honor Recipients.
The museum’s accessible and pedestrian-friendly grounds offer views of Arlington Entertainment District, across from AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park.
On the project team: Irvine Team (owner’s representative), Rafael Viñoly Architects (architect), G&A (exhibit creative direction and experience design), Graham Associates (civil engineer), schlaich bergermann partner (sbp) (structural engineer), ME Engineers, Inc. (MEP engineer), Linbeck Group (general contractor).
