Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' US$162m spy museum opens its doors
POSTED 16 May 2019 . BY Andrew Manns
The International Spy Museum (SPY) features a number of interactive exhibits that explore post-9/11 security issues. Credit: Photo by Nic Lehoux
The long-awaited International Spy Museum (SPY) – has officially opened to the public in Washington, D.C.
Designed by Rogers Stirk + Partners and Hickok Cole Architects, the revamped 11,400 sq m facility features the world's largest collection of espionage artefacts.
The firms' US$162m (€144.7m, £126.5m) intervention saw the museum gain a rooftop terrace, retail and lobby areas, and three floors of exhibits.
The attraction also boasts a new set of interactive and narrative-based galleries and installations by Gallagher & Associates (G&A), including an infinity mirror room and an RFID-powered simulator.
"Our vision for the new SPY invites the audience into a world of intrigue – a personal exploration that immerses visitors into the experience of living their cover," explained Cybelle Jones, principal at G&A.
She added: "Through objects, immersion, light, and media, the visitor becomes the subject, and the exhibits become the stage."
Another key experience is "Red-Teaming", a game that lets participants take on the role of the US president and employ strategic techniques to recreate the process of locating Osama bin Laden.
"We thought it was vitally important to address spying in the post 9/11 world, and operations we could not have even imagined 17 years ago," commented Milton Maltz, founder of SPY.
Speaking on the opening, Anna Slafer, the museum's vice president of exhibitions and programs, said: "We hope our visitors will walk out of SPY's doors empowered by their new knowledge of the intelligence world, understanding its role in our lives and world events – as well as how their oversight responsibilities as citizens can help shape that role."
Gallagher & Associates devised and choreographed SPY's various installations and galleries. Credit: Photo by Sam Kittner
Sanne van Haastert, lead exhibition designer at G&A, said the museum "layers real-life stories behind intelligence events of the past to the latest applications for spying today". Credit: Photo by Sam Kittner
Other highlights of the attraction include exhibits on the Bay of Pigs, Communist East Berlin, and Osama bin Laden's extraction. Credit: Photo by Sam Kittner
The building is situated on Washington's L’Enfant Plaza. Credit: Photo by Nic Lehoux
PROJECT PROFILE: International Spy Museum After months of secrecy, Washington D.C.’s International Spy Museum has officially
revealed plans for a US$162m (€143.2m, £102.1m) move to L’Enfant Plaza.
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confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' US$162m spy museum opens its doors
POSTED 16 May 2019 . BY Andrew Manns
The International Spy Museum (SPY) features a number of interactive exhibits that explore post-9/11 security issues. Credit: Photo by Nic Lehoux
The long-awaited International Spy Museum (SPY) – has officially opened to the public in Washington, D.C.
Designed by Rogers Stirk + Partners and Hickok Cole Architects, the revamped 11,400 sq m facility features the world's largest collection of espionage artefacts.
The firms' US$162m (€144.7m, £126.5m) intervention saw the museum gain a rooftop terrace, retail and lobby areas, and three floors of exhibits.
The attraction also boasts a new set of interactive and narrative-based galleries and installations by Gallagher & Associates (G&A), including an infinity mirror room and an RFID-powered simulator.
"Our vision for the new SPY invites the audience into a world of intrigue – a personal exploration that immerses visitors into the experience of living their cover," explained Cybelle Jones, principal at G&A.
She added: "Through objects, immersion, light, and media, the visitor becomes the subject, and the exhibits become the stage."
Another key experience is "Red-Teaming", a game that lets participants take on the role of the US president and employ strategic techniques to recreate the process of locating Osama bin Laden.
"We thought it was vitally important to address spying in the post 9/11 world, and operations we could not have even imagined 17 years ago," commented Milton Maltz, founder of SPY.
Speaking on the opening, Anna Slafer, the museum's vice president of exhibitions and programs, said: "We hope our visitors will walk out of SPY's doors empowered by their new knowledge of the intelligence world, understanding its role in our lives and world events – as well as how their oversight responsibilities as citizens can help shape that role."
Gallagher & Associates devised and choreographed SPY's various installations and galleries. Credit: Photo by Sam Kittner
Sanne van Haastert, lead exhibition designer at G&A, said the museum "layers real-life stories behind intelligence events of the past to the latest applications for spying today". Credit: Photo by Sam Kittner
Other highlights of the attraction include exhibits on the Bay of Pigs, Communist East Berlin, and Osama bin Laden's extraction. Credit: Photo by Sam Kittner
The building is situated on Washington's L’Enfant Plaza. Credit: Photo by Nic Lehoux
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
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