National Building Museum launches Parkour installation

The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. has launched Momentum Park(our), a temporary installation transforming its West Court into a 7,000-square-foot Parkour-inspired environment. Running from July 3 to July 20, 2025, the project is a collaboration with Parkour pioneer Mark Toorock and American Parkour (APK).

The installation features four obstacle areas tailored to different age groups, from children to adults, and integrates interactive elements that explore principles such as kinetic energy, motion, and spatial awareness. Materials used in the construction, primarily wood, with plastic, metal, and rubber, were chosen to mimic components of the urban environment.

Momentum Park(our) draws design inspiration from landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, known for dynamic public spaces such as Seattle’s Freeway Park and Denver’s Skyline Park, both considered informal training grounds for Parkour athletes. The installation pays homage to Halprin’s philosophy of architecture as a stage for movement and interaction.