Rising above the landscape of Arlington, Texas, the newly inaugurated National Medal of Honor Museum stands as a striking architectural statement; a 102,000 Sq ft ( ~9475 Sq mt) structure suspended mid-air in a bold gesture of remembrance and reverence. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the museum honors America’s highest military decoration and the extraordinary individuals who have received it. Its dramatic elevation is not just structural; it is deeply symbolic, a soaring tribute to courage, sacrifice, and national service.

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

At the heart of the design is a 200-by-200-foot steel Exhibition Hall, hovering 40 feet above the ground and held aloft by five monumental megacolumns each representing a traditional branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. A circular oculus, symbolizing the U.S. Space Force, pierces the volume and draws light into the core of the museum, illuminating both space and spirit. Clad in sleek metal panels, the suspended mass reflects the strength of fire-forged steel a powerful metaphor for the resilience and integrity of Medal of Honor Recipients.

With its solid, opaque facade floating over an open green plaza, the museum not only creates an architectural landmark within the Arlington Entertainment District it embodies the very ideals it seeks to preserve: integrity, commitment, patriotism, and honor.

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime for us to shepherd my father’s poetic and visionary design for the National Medal of Honor Museum to its ultimate realization,” said Román Viñoly, Partner at Rafael Viñoly Architects. “The Museum is more than a building; it is a living tribute to the heroes who have shaped our nation. Its architecture aims to inspire visitors to recognize the heroic qualities of Medal of Honor Recipients and to cultivate them within themselves, fostering a culture of everyday heroism and sacrifice for the public good.”

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

Visitors to the National Medal of Honor Museum begin their experience through a ceremonial descent into the Rotunda of Honor, a sunken open-air courtyard that doubles as a gathering space for reflection and community events. From here, guests ascend both physically and metaphorically into the suspended Exhibition Hall via two dramatic spiral staircases or fully glazed elevators offering sweeping views of the Arlington landscape. This vertical sequence sets the tone for the museum's immersive and emotionally resonant experience.

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

The architectural storytelling continues inside the Orientation Gallery, leading visitors into a central circular theater, where a curated film introduces the legacy and impact of the Medal of Honor. Surrounding the theater, a series of dynamic and interactive exhibits crafted by interdisciplinary experience design studio G&A guide visitors through personal stories, historical contexts, and simulated environments that bring the valor of Recipients to life. These include panoramic digital scenes, flight simulations, artifact displays, and large-scale biographical graphics that emphasize the depth and humanity behind each act of heroism.

The journey concludes back in the Rotunda’s shaded plaza, where the building reconnects with the natural landscape. Designed to foster reflection and accessibility, the surrounding grounds extend into Arlington’s public realm, integrating with the adjacent lake path and offering clear views of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park.

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

Beyond its symbolic architecture and immersive exhibits, the National Medal of Honor Museum also supports lifelong learning and public engagement. On the west side of the site, The Griffin Institute will host leadership programs for educators, veterans, students, and business leaders, fostering values of service and integrity. To the east, amenities such as a museum shop, café, and an Education and Curatorial Center enhance the visitor experience, while flexible venues including the Col. Neel E. Kearby Theater and the Patrick Brady Hall offer space for commemorative events, lectures, and community programs.

Image Credit © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

With its bold architectural vision, integrated storytelling, and civic mission, the National Medal of Honor Museum stands as a thoughtfully designed place of remembrance and inspiration, one that both honors the legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients and invites every visitor to reflect on the values they embody.

Project Facts

Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects
Completion Year - 2025
Exhibit Creative Direction, Experience Design: G&A
General Contractor: Linbeck Group
Owner’s Representative: Irvine Team
Civil Engineer: Graham Associates
Landscape Architect: MPFP
Structural Engineer: schlaich bergermann partner (sbp)
MEP Engineer: ME Engineers, Inc.
Enclosure Consultant: Curtainwall Design Consulting
Lighting Designer: One Lux Studio
Theatre Planning Consultant: Schuler Shook
Acoustics Consultant: Cerami
Building Code and Life Safety Consultant: Jensen Hughes
Food Service Consultant: Young Caruso
Graphic and Wayfinding Consultant: focusEGD
Vertical Transportation Consultant: EWCG
Wind and Climate Consultant: CPP Wind
Photography: Halkin Mason

Top image © Halkin Mason, Courtesy of Rafael Viñoly Architects.

All images © Halkin Mason.

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