Innovative Elevator To Celebrate Nation’s Heroes

by Kaija Wilkinson

The Medal of Honor is the U.S. Armed Forces’ highest military decoration, and the memory of the more than 3,500 heroes who received it will be forever upheld by the National Medal of Honor Museum that opened in Arlington, Texas, on March 25. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the 130,000-ft² facility is set into a five-acre tranquil landscape. The museum complex’s primary building volume — a slab housing the Exhibition Hall that appears to float — hovers 40 ft above ground, supported by five concrete mega columns, each representing a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Inside the 37-ft-tall “floating” slab is 40,000 ft² of column-free exhibition galleries supported by a cantilevered steel-framed structure. The museum tells the stories of Medal of Honor recipients — awarded by Congress for risking one’s life beyond the call of duty in combat — from the Civil War to the war on terrorism. Several of the recipients appear in videos in an exhibit where their images answer visitors’ questions.^[1]

The museum is made accessible by a custom glass elevator designed and built by TK Elevator (TKE) for general contractor Linbeck Group. TKE was supported by Eklund’s, Inc., which built the custom glass cabs. In a video produced by TKE, elevator adjuster Mike Holcomb said the elevator is unique in his 26-year career, from its in-ground jack to its cantilevered construction with rails all on one side. TKE Americas CEO Jeremy Rainwater said the company is proud and humbled to have played a small part in bringing the National Medal of Honor Museum to life, stating:
“From our incredibly talented engineering and design teams to our skilled mechanics on the ground, this custom glass elevator is a testament to TKE’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship. We encourage everyone to visit the National Medal of Honor Museum to learn more about and celebrate our nation’s heroes — the bravest and best among us.”

Reference

[1] Stengle, James. “A New Museum in Texas Tells the Life Stories of Medal of Honor Recipients,” Associated Press, March 22, 2025.