The Heard Museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate founded in 1929, is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art and is recognized internationally for the quality of its collections, world-class exhibitions, educational programming, artisan market, and cultural festivals.

In order to fulfill its mission to provide relevancy, sustainability, and audience development, the Heard envisioned a series of projects, each with its own capital campaigns, that included a larger Grand Gallery space, a cohesive courtyard/outdoor cafe, entry and exit lobby, and security upgrades along with a master plan to sequence future work. Constraints to the project included the institution’s limited available funding and the need to maintain continuous operations during construction. The resulting projects provide flexibility and accommodation for large-scale traveling exhibits, a clear circulation sequence for visitors, and improved security while maintaining the historic charm and presence of this beloved museum. We provided architecture; interiors; electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering; audiovisual; and lighting design services.