The Museum of the Bible
58,000 SQ FT 40mm BASWA Phon Classic Fine
The doors of the highly-anticipated Museum of the Bible, designed as a replica of the Gutenberg Gates and inscribed with the first chapter of Genesis, have opened to the public. Envisioned by evangelist David Green, the 430,000 square foot museum is composed of thousands of biblically related artifacts and interactive exhibits, in what is believed to be one of the largest collections of biblical artifacts and texts in the world. The museum is nonsectarian in nature, and generally focuses on educating guests on the impact of the Bible throughout world history.
In 2012, the Green family purchased the 1923 Terminal Refrigerating and Warehousing Co. building with the intention of developing the building into what is now the stunning, six-story Museum of the Bible. The $500 million project updated the historically protected original structure, which has been awarded historical status by the District’s Historic Preservation Review Board, add added two additional floors that now house the museum’s rooftop café and biblical garden.
The six floors of the museum each contain a varying exhibit detailing aspects of the Bible’s history and impact. Of the thousands of biblical artifacts on display are fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls, pieces of early copies of the New Testament, and Elvis Presley’s personal bible. Apart from traditional displays the museum also includes a performing arts theater with a 500-person amphitheater, where the museum plans to host lectures and performances. The museum is complete with a rooftop viewing areas which overlooks the US Capital and National Mall, stained glass exhibits, and a ballroom that seats 1,000 guests.
Tasked with creating a truly immersive experience for museum guests, while maintaining a high level of aesthetics, PSB Designs and SmithGroupJJR were presented with a unique task in mitigating reverberation throughout the large exhibit spaces and gathering areas. The museum, which primarily consists of hard spaces and vaulted ceilings, needed a solution to reduce noise reverberation to provide guests with a comfortable space for learning and sharing while navigating through exhibits.
BASWA Phon Sound Absorbing Plaster offered a unique solution in that excessive noise levels could be significantly reduced, without distorting the intended aesthetic. BASWA Phon is thoughtfully designed to be integrated into any ceiling seamlessly, while adding a level of comfort and tranquility to the space by reducing reverberation. By reducing reverberation time, guests are able to immerse in each exhibit and experience the museum as intended by the mission of the Museum of the Bible.
The Museum of the Bible expects 3 million guests in its first year, who will be educated on the history of the Bible under the comfort of a BASWA Phon ceiling.
Learn more about the ideal acoustic environment in a museum. To learn more about the BASWA Phon System used in the Museum of the Bible, click here. Or contact us directly to speak to a dedicated member of our team.
