The Quadrangle

1983-1987, Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbot

The Quadrangle project of the Smithsonian Institution brought together many disparate offices and museums into a single, cohesive structure behind the Smithsonian Institution Building. The idea for the project was conceived by the eigth Smithsonian Secretary, S. Dillon Ripley. The site of the Quadrangle complex previously housed many anonmolous structures: a photographic lab (circa 1874-1920), a shed for animals (circa 1888-1990), the Astrophysical Observatory (1890-1955), the airplane shed (1917-1975) and many different parking, road and miscellaneous facilities. In 1977 the firm Wilkes and Faulkner prepared a technical evaluation of the proposed South Yard site. The next year E. Verner Johnson and Associates prepared a space study of the project and the Japanese architect Junzo Yoshimura was selected to design the South Garden Development Project. At this stage, the project included an Asian Art Gallery and the Museum of African Art which had been transferred to the adminstration of the Smithsonian Institution. Junzo Yoshimura was unable to see the project through final design and construction. In February 1980 the firm Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbot was selected to complete the design under Jean-Paul Carlhain. Carlhain continued the concept of a linked underground complex of buildings. His design incorporated geometric forms which were meant to provide a contextual unity to the project with the existing Smithsonian buildings: the Smithsonian Institution Building, the Arts and Industries Building and the Freer Gallery of Art. The National Museum of African Art was placed adjacent to the Arts and Industries Building with circular forms derived from the semicircular arches of the Freer Gallery of Art across the way. Similarly, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art was located adjacent to the Freer Gallery of Art and its angular forms reflect the design of the Arts and Industries Building. Within the framework of forms, Jean-Paul Carlhain continued his contextual references to other Smithsonian Buildings with his choice of materials and colors. The pink granite reflects the colors of the Smithsonian Institution Building and the Arts and Industries Building while the gray color reflects the Freer Gallery of Art. The other two structures of the complex were the S. Dillon Ripley Center, a small circular kiosk next to the Mall, and the Enid A. Haupt Garden. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on June 21, 1983, and construction began the following month. By 1985 the basic structures were erected and by the end of 1986 offices were being occupied by Smithsonian staff. On May 22, 1987, the Enid A. Haupt Garden opened to the public.

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