Wednesday afternoon, the Smithsonian announced a call for architects to design the upcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be erected in the five-acre space on Constitution Avenue between the Washington Monument and the Museum of American History. The building, which will occupy approximately 350,000 square feet, is expected to take three years to complete and cost $500 million. The full announcement is posted on FedBizOpps.gov.

The Washington Times reports:

At a press briefing Thursday, museum director Lonnie G. Bunch said “our goal is to have a signature building that embraces the site and the Mall” and represents the “resiliency, hope and spirituality” associated with black American culture.

“It must help us to embrace the pain and contradictions of segregation, poverty and racial violence,” said Mr. Bunch. “Yet this museum must also let our audiences find the joy, the strength and the creativity that is at the heart of this community.”

To ensure this, applicant firms are required to submit designs and construction documents along with a written statement explaining how the building will display an appreciation of African American history and culture.

Additionally, project director Sheryl Kolasinski wants the NMAAHC to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, a first for any Smithsonian building.

Due to the sensitive issues surrounding the NMAAHC, the project’s multiplicity in purpose will be challenging to achieve, and are reminiscent of the objectives and challenges of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, erected in 2001 and designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. Time will tell if the Smithsonian makes as bold a selection for the NMAAHC. Proposals are due September 19, and the winning firm will be announced in spring of 2009. Construction is planned to run from 2012 to 2015.