Smithsonian Carousel

The History and Technology Division of the Smithsonian Institution asked the Eames Office to design the housing for a 19th century carved wooden carousel in its collection. The structure, which was intended for the Mall in Washington D.C. near the Smithsonian buildings, needed to be open and accessible during the day, but visible and protected at night.

The Eames Office’s solution was a multi-faced glass pavilion with glass doors that opened during the day with the ability to be closed for security at night. The carousel would be lit at night for pleasure’s sake, and still viewable through its glass partitions. A model was built and photographed, the plans were drawn by architect Philo Jacobsen, but the project was set aside after it was decided that the maintenance would be too difficult and costly.