Landscape architecture students create 'Tomorrow's Water,' for indoor mini golf course at National Building Museum
A team from the Virginia Tech Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center is once again part of the popular indoor Mini Golf exhibition at the National Building Museum.
This summer’s expanded attraction features two nine-hole course options, with all new holes designed and built by leading Washington-area architects, landscape architects, and contractors.
The courses explore the architects’ and designers’ visions of “Building the Future,” with twists and turns to challenge golfers young and old. During museum hours, visitors can play a one-of-a-kind course, designed for ages four and up, in air-conditioned comfort until Labor Day (Sept. 2, 2013).
Hole five on the blue course was designed and built by a Virginia Tech student team sponsored by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Team leader Jason Granado of Ft Lauderdale, Fla., Jaeeun Cho of Gloucester, Va., Brian Green of South Williamsport, Pa., James Hanger of Staunton, Va., and John Whilden of Asheville, N.C., all students in the Master of Landscape Architecture program, created "Tomorrow's Water," which takes on the waterways of the future.
The hole is described as a watershed is an area of land where water collects and flows into a stream, a river, a lake, or another large body of water. Whether it's the little rise that drains the rain off the front yard, or the valley that carries a river from the mountains down to the sea, watersheds are at work all around us. Landscape architects help control, absorb, filter, and clean runoff to improve the health of watersheds across the country, including the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the original mini golf holes custom designed for the two courses, the installation features displays of selected items from the museum’s collections. The walls of the mini golf space are enhanced by a custom mural by the museum’s senior graphic designer. Also, visitors can test their knowledge of the history of mini golf with fun facts sprinkled throughout the courses.
The National Building Museum also features “Mini Golf Late Night” evenings during which the courses will remain open until 9 p.m.: July 11, July 24, Aug. 8, and Aug. 22. The museum is located at 401 F Street NW, Washington, D.C., easily accessible by Metro.
“Our mini golf courses offer Washington residents and visitors a chance to beat the heat while enjoying a classic summertime tradition in the middle of downtown D.C.,” said Chase W. Rynd, the museum’s president and executive director. “Players have a chance not only to practice their swing, but also to be inspired by the creative process behind 18 unique architectural marvels.”
The National Building Museum will present a Best in Show award, determined by a jury of design experts, and mini golf players are given an opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice award.
