The national building museum will produce the immersive environments and interactive components of a new long-term exhibition examining the history of the united states through the development of…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the National Building Museum $1.651 million on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to produce immersive environments and interactive components for a new long-term exhibition examining U.S. urban history.

The museum will develop audiovisual media for gallery environments, including films, motion graphics, and layered soundscapes, engaging a software developer for this work. External experts will integrate hardware and software to ensure reliable playback and synchronization. The project team will coordinate purchase of printing and fabrication materials and production of signage, graphics, mounting systems, and other supplies that allow visitors to experiment with urban planning tools while examining trade-offs inherent in planning decisions. The exhibition will create accessible learning experiences designed to deepen visitor understanding of the built environment.

Performance occurs in Washington, DC, with a period of performance through August 31, 2027.

The national building museum will produce the immersive environments and interactive components of a new long-term exhibition examining the history of the united states through the development of its cities. The museum will engage a software developer to produce audiovisual media for gallery environments, including films, motion graphics, and layered soundscapes. Other external experts will integrate hardware and software, ensuring reliable playback and synchronization. The project team will coordinate the purchase of printing and fabrication materials and the production of signage, graphics, mounting systems, and other supplies to allow visitors to experiment with the tools of urban planners while considering the trade-offs inherent in planning decisions that shape everyday life in cities. The project will create accessible learning experiences within a larger exhibition that provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the built environment.