The Smithsonian American Art Museum has selected Applied Minds, an interdisciplinary company based in Los Angeles, as the winner of its Grand Salon design competition. The proposed new concept for the Renwick Gallery’s Grand Salon is part of a forthcoming major renovation of the Renwick Gallery, home of the museum’s craft and decorative art program since 1972.

The international design competition invited selected interior designers, artists and architects to envision the 4,300-square-foot Grand Salon as a must-see 21st-century destination for contemporary audiences. Applied Minds presented a technology solution that uses state-of-the-art high-definition projectors and audio speakers to create an immersive and interactive environment.

“The genius of the Applied Minds concept is that it encourages visitors to come back again and again to see the many new and ever-changing presentations there,” said Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “I especially like the fact that their concept offers a new palette for artistic interpretation that continues the Renwick Gallery’s tradition of being ‘Dedicated to Art,’ as inscribed over the building’s front door.”

A major renovation of the Renwick Gallery is in the design phase. The renovation, which will begin in 2014, will include a completely renewed infrastructure, enhanced historic features and other upgrades to the National Historic Landmark building

About the Renwick Gallery’s Building
The Renwick Gallery is one of the most elegant examples of Second Empire architecture in the United States. The building was designed in 1859 by the distinguished architect James Renwick Jr., who also designed the Smithsonian’s “Castle” and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Renwick was inspired by the Louvre’s Tuileries addition in Paris and modeled the gallery in the French Second Empire style that was popular at the time. The words “Dedicated to Art” are inscribed above the Renwick Gallery’s front entry. The collection, exhibition program and publications presented by the Renwick Gallery highlight the best craft objects and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present and honor the building’s original purpose.

The Renwick was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, and in 1971 it was designated a National Historic Landmark building in the Lafayette Square Historic District. The Renwick Gallery is located steps from the White House in the heart of historic federal Washington.

About Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
The Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the vision and creativity of Americans with artworks in all media spanning more than three centuries. The museum’s branch for craft and decorative art, the Renwick Gallery, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25. Admission is free. Metrorail station: Farragut North (Red line) and Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines). Follow the museum on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, ArtBabble, Pinterest, iTunes and YouTube. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Website: americanart.si.edu.

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