The courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery is located in a National Historic Landmark Building in Washington, DC. One of the grandest interior event spaces in the city, it is equally beloved as an intimate place to have a cup of coffee or to meet a small group of friends.

The landscape design complements the texture and contemporary quality of the new glass canopy designed by Foster + Partners, while reflecting the material, character, and classical spirit of the historic buildings. A dynamic composition of marble planters appears to float alongside a scrim of water, which is allowed to traverse the entire length of the courtyard.