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The museum, which is scheduled to open in 2015, will occupy a five-acre area near the Washington Monument. It could be the final major structure erected on the mall.

Architect Don Stastny, an adviser to the design competition, said that the museum was to be a nighttime destination as well as a daytime one, and that the building should function somewhat like a monument. “What it looks like at night is important,” he said. “It will have the prominence of the other icons.”

The competing architectural teams are: Devrouax & Purnell and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners; Diller Scofidio and Renfro, in association with KlingStubbins; The Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates, and Davis Brody Bond; Foster and Partners/URS; Moody Nolan, in association with Antoine Predock Architect; and Moshe Safdie and Associates in association with Sulton Campbell Britt & Associates.

The six models will be on display at the Smithsonian's Castle building through April 6, and public comments are welcome. The winner will chosen by an 11-member jury, with final approval coming from the Smithsonian board of regents. The decision is expected sometime next month.