“The intent of the project was to create an enduring and provocative building that represents the unique and diverse cultural attitudes of Native people from across the Americas,†said Kevin Carl, project architect and manager for Jones and Jones. “The building's form is inspired by a stone outcrop carved by wind and water over time.â€
Before deciding on Kasota limestone, however, the architects considered several other options. “Since this project site is on the Federal Mall, a white limestone that matched or complemented the other museums, the Capitol and the monuments was considered,†said Carl. “The design team first pursued the same limestone used on the Washington Monument, but discovered that the quarry [that supplied the stone] was nearly depleted and only had what was reserved for future needs of existing projects.â€