Throughout my years doing the Digital Builder podcast, I've had the privilege of filming episodes in a lot of interesting venues and environments—including the Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco, the Autodesk Technology Center in Boston, and, of course, recording episodes live at Autodesk University where we capture insights from industry leaders in the middle of all the action.
But this week's podcast is truly one of the most unique we've ever filmed because it takes place inside the iconic National Building Museum (NBM) in Washington, DC. This episode features Aileen Fuchs, President & Executive Director at the NBM.
Aileen and I dive into the museum's mission to inspire curiosity about the built world, its rich history, and how the NBM encourages conversations around architecture, engineering, and construction. We also talk about key exhibits and how folks can get involved in the National Building Museum's initiatives.
You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
We discuss:
Aileen starts the conversation by giving a brief history of the National Building Museum. Fun fact: before it was the NBM, it was originally constructed to house the U.S. Pension Bureau, designed to process benefits for Civil War veterans and their families.
"The building itself was built in the 1880s when Washington, D.C. was forming itself as the seat of our federal government. We were coming out of the Civil War, and so many soldiers needed a pension. So, this was built as the Pension Bureau."
From there, the building evolved into a grand gathering space, hosting some of the most prestigious events in Washington, D.C.
"The federal government recognized the need for a space for big, grand events. If you ask any Washingtonian today, not only are we the National Building Museum, but we are also one of the most beautiful spaces to host and celebrate events. We are proud to have hosted inaugural balls for almost every single president."
One of the key roles of the NBM is to encourage curiosity and awareness about the built environment and its impact on our daily lives.
As Aileen puts it, "A lot of people look at the built world as inevitable or that it was just always there. As the National Building Museum, we have the opportunity and responsibility to really make those components relevant."
And the way to do that, says Aileen, is through storytelling.
"Yes, we all care about data and stats, but as a museum, we like to take all that information and transform it into something that makes somebody leave the space and go out and look at their built world through a new lens, new eyes, and fresh perspective."
Deciding what to showcase and how to put exhibits together is no easy task, especially for the NBM, which aims to tackle complex issues within the built environment. According to Aileen, the museum's approach begins with understanding the NBM's role in shaping these conversations.
"It starts with a strong vision of where and how we impact the built world because it's huge. It is everything."
Aileen also highlights the role of education and community engagement in bringing the museum to life.
"We have an incredible education team. The legacy of the museum's education has been formative in many careers, and it continues to inspire people. We have such a deep stakeholdership through our trustees, members, and partners."
"So, we try to be the center of national dialogue around some of the most pressing issues affecting all kinds of Americans. We're also a physical destination for people who want to experience innovation and understand what's driving the industry."
The NBM houses several captivating exhibits, and there's something for everyone. Several exciting exhibitions were displayed during the recording of this episode.
For design enthusiasts, Aileen recommends checking out the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition and the Capital Brutalism exhibit, both of which offer deep dives into architectural movements that have shaped spaces worldwide.
Meanwhile, the youngsters (and those who are young at heart) would enjoy Brick City, which features 39 architectural wonders of the world built out of Legos.
"It's not just for kids; I see a lot of grownups sitting in there playing with Legos and having fun," remarks Aileen.
She also encourages people to visit the Visible Vault exhibit, which showcases historical objects from legendary architects like I.M. Pei, César Pelli, and Frank Gehry.
"This is the first time that the National Building Museum is bringing parts of our collection to the public," shares Aileen. "There are so many interesting pieces with incredible stories that tell America's design and build heritage."
Aileen also brings up previous exhibits, such as the Notre Dame de Paris augmented exhibition, which immersed visitors in the iconic cathedral's history, destruction, and restoration.
"I would be remiss not to mention our Notre Dame exhibition because that was made possible through Autodesk's technology. That was an incredible exhibition that showed the creation, the fire, and the reconstruction of Notre Dame and a truly immersive experience using BIM technology."
She continues, "I brought two six-year-olds and two 76-year-olds to that exhibition. Literally, my parents and my children and everybody loved it."
All the things that the National Building Museum stands for and showcases—from its pillars to exhibits—play a role in shaping how people think about the built environment. Not only that, but they also serve as a catalyst for inspiring the next generation to consider careers in the field.
"Innovation is top of mind for the museum. We are thinking about how we want to bring that experience to our visitors, particularly through our exhibition planning over the next couple of years."
"It's incredible to have Autodesk thinking about that with us and finding ways to engage more people and deepen their understanding of the construction industry."
In addition, Aileen says that the current labor crisis in construction makes AEC awareness more important than ever.
"I talk about education a lot. Of course, the NBM will never be a training facility, but we are an important point along a timeline of career awareness. So many things in the museum can spark you to think about AEC as a career option."
"I think the construction industry needs that more than ever right now as we're playing the long game with the labor crisis. I'd love to see us continue to play a part there."
Digital Builder is hosted by me, Eric Thomas. Remember, new episodes of Digital Builder go live every week. Listen to the Digital Builder Podcast on:
