Cultural

We design cultural environments that balance functionality with timeless beauty. Simultaneously educational and uplifting, our museums and cultural centers provide symbols of the time in which they were built and the information they contain. These are buildings that serve their users and communities, today and well into the future.

Featured Projects
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
The new 580,000--SF Capitol Visitor Center is a project of historic dimension, creating a richer and more meaningful experience for the more than three million visitors annually. Designed to introduce visitors to the U.S. Capitol without compromising its integrity, the underground secure facility aims to inspire and educate with a sequence of visual events culminating in the entrance to the Capitol.

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New Jiang Wan Cultural Center
Nestled in the city’s last wetland preserve, Shanghai’s latest and most comprehensive urban development, New Jiangwan Town, is a model for a sustainable community for the 21st Century. In its heart is a new cultural center, designed to showcase the area’s environmental sensitivity and celebrate the vibrant and evolving community.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
As part of a Maryland’s major African American tourism initiative, Baltimore City planned for a new museum that would expand tourist patronage from the adjacent Inner Harbor and strengthen the city’s burgeoning "Museum Row." RTKL, with Freelon Associates, created a bold architectural statement guided by pervasive concepts of African American identity and history.
British Embassy Rabat
The new British Embassy in Rabat provides a functional and attractive environment that responds to the cultural and climatological influences and technical and security requirements of a modern diplomatic center. Indoor and outdoor spaces incorporate local craftsmanship in an attempt to capture the culture of the host country while retaining a British identity.
Chinese Film Museum
Like the nation itself, China’s film industry has evolved dramatically over the last century. To honor this formidable history and the accomplishments of Chinese filmmakers, the new Chinese Museum of Film is designed to blend the art of film with architecture, while also incorporating flexibility, environmental friendliness and self-sustained integrity.
Xiaoguang Liu AIA, Vice President
“There’s no question that in today’s world, design is the differentiator. Done right, museums are some of the most memorable, most celebrated places in the world. We aim to design museums that stand out not only for their exceptional functionality but also for what they say, about the environments they inhabit, the people they serve and the eras in which they exist.”