Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate

Boston, MA

Architect

Rafael Vinoly Architects

Background

68,000 square feet

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is both a memorial and an educational institution. The project is minimalist in its conception, which emphasizes the perfect execution of details. The lighting design is a careful composition of different layers and tones of light on muted finishes. The team faced technical challenges related to the unconventional exhibit design. The skylight terminates at the transition from the lobby to the exhibit space. Natural light is too variable for the digital displays in the exhibit space but the transition from the skylight in the lobby to the two-sided LED light cove in the exhibit space is seamless.