Smithsonian Institution

Molina Family Latino Gallery

Engineering Inclusive Museum Spaces for Storytelling and Public Engagement

Located within the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, the Molina Family Latino Gallery is the first dedicated museum space on the National Mall to celebrate the historical and cultural legacy of U.S. Latinos. Designed by Quinn Evans in collaboration with the Smithsonian Latino Center, the gallery presents a dynamic mix of artifacts, contemporary art, digital media interactives, a theater, and a Learning Lounge that together explore Latino contributions to American history and culture.

Serving as both a destination gallery and an educational platform, the space supports immersive storytelling while connecting contemporary themes to historical narratives. The gallery also anticipates the future National Museum of the American Latino, authorized by Congress, positioning the project as a milestone for the Smithsonian and the nation.

Universal Design and Sensory-Based Visitor Experience

Reaching diverse, intergenerational audiences was a central goal of the gallery’s planning and design. The design team employed sensory mapping techniques to document and evaluate how visitors experience sound, light, movement, and space throughout the gallery. This approach informed a universally accessible design that exceeds ADA requirements.

Accessibility is addressed across multiple layers of the visitor experience, including physical layout, interpretive graphics, and content access. Focused sound zones, buffered by quieter areas, support visitors with differing sensory needs, while flexible spaces accommodate a wide range of learning styles and programs. Together, these strategies create an inclusive environment that invites meaningful engagement for all audiences.

Engineering Systems That Support Inclusive Museum Design

Mueller Associates provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for the Molina Family Latino Gallery, working closely with the architect and exhibition team to support the gallery’s immersive and accessible design goals. Mueller’s systems were designed to serve a wide variety of exhibit types—from artifact displays to digital media installations and theater spaces—while maintaining comfort, reliability, and operational efficiency within an active, high-traffic museum environment.

By integrating building systems seamlessly into the gallery’s architecture and exhibition framework, Mueller helped ensure that environmental controls, power distribution, and lighting infrastructure quietly support storytelling, accessibility, and public engagement, allowing the gallery’s narratives and visitor experience to take center stage.

Consulting Services
  • HVAC Systems
  • Electrical Power
  • Plumbing Systems
Architect

Quinn Evans

Client History
  1. 2027

    Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Revitalization

  2. 2026

    National Air and Space Museum Revitalization

...
Museum visitors engaging with interactive digital exhibits inside the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian.
Interactive digital media and contemporary exhibits engage visitors of all ages, connecting personal stories to broader narratives of Latino contributions to American history.
Gallery space designed with universal design principles, including varied lighting, sound zones, and accessible pathways.
Sensory mapping and universal design principles shape an inclusive gallery experience that supports visitors with diverse mobility, sensory, and cognitive needs.
Flexible education and learning area within the Molina Family Latino Gallery designed for hands-on activities and group programs.
The Learning Lounge provides a flexible, multi-use space for hands-on education, supporting families, school groups, and community programs.
Interior view of a museum theater space designed for immersive storytelling and public programs.
A dedicated theater space supports multimedia storytelling and programming that expands access to Latino history through film and digital presentations.
Close-up view of exhibit displays in the Molina Family Latino Gallery featuring artifacts, contemporary artwork, and interpretive media.
Exhibit installations combine artifacts, contemporary art, and interpretive media to present layered narratives of Latino history and lived experience in the United States.
"We made an early decision to make the gallery as accessible as possible. We felt it was the right thing to do. The ‘aha’ moment was that it made it better for everyone."
Eduardo Díaz
Acting Deputy Director, National Museum of the American Latino

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