Smithsonian Institution
New Construction & Renovations
For more than 45 years, Mueller Associates has maintained one of the most enduring client relationships in the engineering profession—a continuous partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. Since the late 1970s, Mueller’s work has included more than 100 projects across the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, encompassing nearly every Smithsonian museum and facility in the United States.
From early HVAC renovations at the National Portrait Gallery to complex modernizations across the National Mall, this longstanding relationship reflects not only technical expertise, but a deep institutional understanding of the challenges inherent in preserving, operating, and evolving nationally significant cultural assets.
Engineering for Complex, Mission-Critical Museum Environments
Since 2013, Mueller’s engineers have played a key role in the comprehensive rehabilitation of the National Air and Space Museum, one of the world’s most-visited museums. The $1-billion, 687,000-square-foot renovation includes replacing all major building systems, upgrading the building envelope, and transforming galleries and public spaces—while the museum remains a vital destination for millions of visitors.
Supporting Collections, Research, and Public Engagement Across the Smithsonian
Beyond the National Mall, Mueller’s work with the Smithsonian spans a wide range of facilities and project types. Current and recent efforts include the construction of Pod 6, a 190,000-square-foot collections storage building at the Smithsonian’s Suitland Collections Center; renovations at the National Zoo; and upgrades at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of the American Indian.
Mueller is also supporting the revitalization of the American Art Museum and renovations to the Smithsonian’s consolidated headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., demonstrating the firm’s ability to deliver engineering solutions across museums, research facilities, animal habitats, collections storage, and administrative environments.
Institutional Knowledge Built Over Decades
Working across projects of every scale—from intimate gallery renovations to large-scale campus and infrastructure projects—Mueller’s engineers bring continuity, historical knowledge, and technical rigor to the Smithsonian’s evolving needs. This long-term partnership allows Mueller to anticipate operational challenges, coordinate seamlessly with Smithsonian stakeholders, and design systems that quietly support preservation, research, and public access for generations to come.
Consulting Services
- HVAC Systems
- Electrical Power
- Plumbing Systems
- Feasibility Studies
- Historic Preservation
- Lighting Design
- Revit®
- Sustainable Design
- Value Engineering
Architect
Various
Client History
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2027
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Revitalization
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2026
National Air and Space Museum Revitalization
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