WASHINGTON, DC.- The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has begun construction on the Bezos Learning Center building located at the east end of the museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Site preparation work started earlier in 2026, and contractor Clark/Smoot/Consigli moved into the next phase of work this month. The three-story structure will contain two floors of education and programming spaces as well as offices for the center’s team. These include flexible project, presentation and studio spaces to allow for a wide range of programs that inspire learners to pursue science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) innovation. In addition to National Air and Space Museum content, the center will connect to all Smithsonian museums, coordinating collections and experts across the Institution, as well as promoting inquiry-based learning through community partnerships to reach students of all ages and teachers in Washington, D.C., and across the country.

The ground floor of the building will house a new 525-seat restaurant serving visitors to the museum.

While the building has been in the design and contract-award phase, the center’s staff have already engaged more than 4,000 students through a number of programs conducted virtually or by staff at locations outside the museum. These include programs like the Bezos Science and Technology (BeST) Challenges that allow students to apply their learning and imagination to come up with solutions to real world problems.

“The Bezos Learning Center and its surrounding outdoor activations will be the capstone of the National Air and Space Museum’s multi-year transformation,” said Beth Crownover, the museum’s Broh-Kahn Weil Director of Education. “Learners who have engaged with us in their communities, schools and Smithsonian museums will have a dedicated space to tinker, experiment and display their work— completing the circle of everyone seeing themselves in the museum.”

The Bezos Learning Center project will also include the construction of the updated Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory and Astronomy Park, which will open concurrently with the center.

The museum is completing its multi-year renovation, including redesigning all 20 galleries, complete refacing of the exterior cladding, replacement of outdated mechanical systems and other repairs and improvements, and a new entry vestibule. The final two galleries in the renovations will open Friday, Oct. 30, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, respectively.