Bjarke Ingels unveils "BIG Maze" for Washington's National Building Museum
News: Danish firm BIG has unveiled plans to install a wooden maze with a concave surface inside the National Building Museum in Washington DC.
BIG, led by architect Bjarke Ingels, will use Baltic birch plywood to build the 18-metre-squared maze in the west court of the National Building Museum's Great Hall.
![BIG Maze at National Building Museum Washington](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/04/BIG-Maze-at-National-Building-Museum-Washington_dezeen_2.jpg)
The architect says the structure will borrow forms from mazes throughout history, from ancient Greek labyrinths to European hedge mazes and modern American corn mazes. Starting with a height of five and a half metres, it will gradually diminish towards its centre.
"The concept is simple: as you travel deeper into a maze, your path typically becomes more convoluted," explained Ingels. "What if we invert this scenario and create a maze that brings clarity and visual understanding upon reaching the heart of the labyrinth?"
![BIG Maze at National Building Museum Washington](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/04/BIG-Maze-at-National-Building-Museum-Washington_dezeen_3.jpg)
"From outside, the maze's cube-like form hides the final reveal behind its 18-foot-tall walls," said Ingels. "On the inside, the walls slowly descend towards the centre, which concludes with a grand reveal - a 360 degree understanding of your path in and how to get out."
The "BIG Maze" will open on 4 July and will remain in place until 1 September. Visitors to the museum's upper-floor balconies will be offered an aerial view.