Smithsonian Institution.  This five-story structure serves as a vibrant gathering place where Native cultures are celebrated.

The central feature of the “Potomac”, the heart of the building, is a large diameter pipe stone, a material that symbolically represents a fire pit. All other spaces radiate from this dome space 115 feet by 121 feet high. An oculus in the dome provides views to the sky

and allows a natural stream of light in, tracing the path of the sun and creating a solar calendar. A sculptural copper screen lines the path to the entrance to the Potomac,

gradually dropping in height to reveal activities throughout the museum. In addition to exhibit areas, the museum includes two theatres, an outdoor performance area, café, resource center and museum shops. Located on over four acres, the structure is surrounded by natural landscapes indigenous

to the region, including wetlands, meadowlands and a hardwood forest.