Tag: washington-dc | ArchDaily

The White House Announces Plans for New Ballroom

Reyyan Dogan — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 05:30:00 +0000

The White House has unveiled plans for a new permanent event space on its historic grounds. Intended to address long-standing spatial limitations for large-scale ceremonial functions, the proposed White House State Ballroom will provide a venue with an expanded capacity. McCrery Architects, a Washington-based firm recognized for its work in classical architecture, was initially appointed as lead architect. Clark Construction will oversee the build, with engineering support provided by AECOM. The construction is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with completion planned within the current administration.

On Juneteenth, Discover 8 Museums and Cultural Institutions Dedicated to African American History and Culture

Maria-Cristina Florian — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, marking a moment of liberation and reflection on a complex and often overlooked history. Originally celebrated in Texas, Juneteenth has grown to symbolize broader themes of freedom, resilience, and cultural identity, fostering conversations about justice and representation. This day also presents an opportunity to highlight the ways in which architecture can serve as a medium for preserving and presenting African American history and cultural values.

Brutalism and Bureaucracy: An Architectural Language of Authority in the Postwar United States

Olivia Poston — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Brutalist architecture in the United States is a monument to collective postwar optimism and reassurance that the city and federal governments are in authority. Conceived as an embodiment of strength and efficiency, Brutalist structures were quickly adopted for the architectural language of civic and governmental institutions in the mid-to-late twentieth century in the United States. Towering monoliths of raw concrete rose across the nation, projecting an image of institutional permanence while simultaneously provoking debate over their social and psychological impact.

Conserving Black Modernism: An Initiative to Preserve African American Architectural Heritage in the United States

Nour Fakharany — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Getty Foundation's Conserving Black Modernism initiative, launched in 2022, represents a pivotal effort to preserve and celebrate the architectural contributions of African American architects in the Modernist movement. This initiative, a partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, aims to address historical oversight and ensure the legacy of these trailblazing architects is protected for future generations. Over three funding cycles from 2023 to 2025, the program supports conservation planning, professional training, and storytelling to highlight the cultural and architectural significance of these sites.

Generations of Change: Women Who Redefined Landscape Architecture

Diogo Borges Ferreira — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Women have played a pivotal role in the evolution of landscape architecture, overcoming the constraints of a male-dominated profession to introduce groundbreaking ideas and fresh perspectives. From early pioneers to contemporary leaders, their work has reshaped how we interact with public and private spaces, intertwining aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in innovative ways.

Kengo Kuma Named New Lead Designer for Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Nour Fakharany — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:30:00 +0000

In a surprising development, internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma has been named the new lead designer for the highly anticipated Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The announcement follows the departure of previous designer Marlon Blackwell, who was originally selected in July 2023.

Exploring the Legacy of Modernism in Landscape Architecture

Diogo Borges Ferreira — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Modernist landscape architecture marked a radical shift from traditional garden designs, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and a stronger connection between people and their environments. From the 1930s through the 1960s, this movement saw the emergence of visionary landscape architects who integrated form and function in ways that redefined outdoor spaces. Their designs responded to the rapidly evolving urban landscapes of the time, prioritizing usability and creating environments that could accommodate modern life. The enduring influence of these principles continues to shape contemporary practices, while also presenting unique challenges in preservation as these landscapes age.

Walter Hood Receives the 2024 Vincent Scully Prize for Landscape Design Excellence

Nour Fakharany — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. has just announced Walter Hood as the 26th recipient of the prestigious Vincent Scully Prize. Walter Hood is a celebrated landscape designer working in public spaces and urban environments. Established in 1999, this award honors outstanding contributions in architecture, historic preservation, and urban design through practice, scholarship, or criticism. Hood now joins the ranks of past notable winners like Theaster Gates, Dolores Hayden, and Mabel O. Wilson.

"Capital Brutalism" Exhibition Explores Washington D.C's Architectural Legacy in United States

Nour Fakharany — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:30:00 +0000

Brutalist buildings are a significant component of Washington, D.C.’s architectural identity. In the National Building Museum’s new exhibition, Capital Brutalism, this identity is explored further. Co-organized with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Capital Brutalism is a comprehensive exhibition of Brutalist architecture in Washington, D.C., to date, running until February 17th, 2025.

The High Line Effect: Transforming Abandoned Infrastructure in the United States

Ankitha Gattupalli — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 07:30:00 +0000

In the early 2000s, an abandoned rail line in Manhattan sat decaying - a memory from a time when freight trains traveled straight through the city. To most citizens, it was a site destined for demolition. However, a few visionary residents saw an opportunity in this neglected space and advocated to transform it into a public green space for the community. The success of the project seemed to spark a "High Line Effect", inspiring other American cities to pursue civic infrastructure on outdated railways, roadways, and industrial sites.

New Constitution Gardens Will Be a Biodiversity Mecca

Jared Green — Tue, 07 May 2024 03:30:00 +0000

“Constitution Gardens will become a biodiversity hotspot on the National Mall,” said Adam Greenspan, FASLA, design partner at PWP Landscape Architecture. “We will create a garden, based in nature, while respecting the historic design.” Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. opened in 1976 to commemorate the bicentennial of the American revolution. Concepts outlined in the McMillan Plan and designs by Dan Kiley and SOM shaped the landscape.

Reviving Collaboration: Seeking a Place for Artistry in Mass-Produced Building Elements

Paul Yakubu — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Historically, architecture has served as a canvas for artistic expression. Building elements have been adorned with relief-carved garlands, inscriptions, fresco murals, portrait busts, and classicizing figurative sculptures, all of which emphasize the unique and intentional nature of each component. However, the industrialization of the 19th century brought about a shift in ideals, that stripped architectural components of their decorative elements. Instead, it preferenced the search for beauty in standardization and the economic accessibility provided by mass-produced building elements.

Urban Mobility in the United States: How Ridesharing Services Impact American Cities

Ankitha Gattupalli — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:30:00 +0000

Urban mobility in the United States has seen a radical transformation with the introduction of ridesharing services in the late 2000s. The widespread adoption of services such as Uber and Lyft has altered the way citizens move around cities, offering convenience, flexibility, and accessibility like never before. The innovative business model that excels at designing for individual users failed to foresee larger implications at the scale of the city - congestion, public transit systems, and car ownership. While European countries such as Brussels have pledged to encourage public transportation to curb traffic congestion issues, American cities hunt for solutions of their own.

12 Architecture Events to Pay Attention to in 2024

Maria-Cristina Florian — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:30:00 +0000

Spanning continents and cultures, architecture-focused events serve as platforms for the gathering of diverse groups of professionals to share innovations and embark on dialogues regarding some of the most pressing matters faced by our profession. Embodying the spirit of collaboration, highlighting local cultures and practices, and fostering open debates, this year’s list of events covers a diverse range of biennales, forums, city-wide celebrations, international fairs, and awards.

Rafael Viñoly’s Amaris Condos in Washington DC, Captured by Paul Clemence

Maria-Cristina Florian — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 06:30:00 +0000

On March 2, 2023, Rafael Viñoly passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of bold and imposing designs that shaped the skyline of cities across the globe. He is internationally recognized for works such as the Boston Convention Center, which redefined urban space in the American city, the new Carrasco Airport in Montevideo, and the controversial 20 Fenchurch Tower in London.

Reshaping U.S. Downtowns: Momentum Grows for Office-To-Housing Transformations

Carla Bonilla Huaroc — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:30:00 +0000

Cities across the US are struggling to fill their office spaces. Major cities like Washington DC, Boston, and San Francisco have increasingly vacant downtowns, while the urban centers of small Rust Belt cities struggle to survive altogether. This trend is consistent beyond the US, with over three-quarters of Europe’s office buildings at risk of obsolescence by the decade’s end. The cause of this, in most cases, is simple: an oversupply of offices and a shift towards remote work. These vacant buildings can trigger a negative domino effect of economic and social challenges for cities, and their surplus, coupled with a housing shortage, has sparked discussions among cities and architects about the impending necessity to transform offices into housing.

5 Ways to Create More Liveable Cities: Insights from TV Show "Tale of Two Cities" with Dikshu Kukreja

Suneet Zishan Langar & Sadhya Bhatnagar — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 03:30:00 +0000

Cities are the bedrock of civilization. For millennia, they have attracted people with the promise of superior standards of living — from better economic and educational opportunities to easier access to quality public infrastructure such as housing, healthcare, and public transport. Today, however, many cities around the world are finding it challenging to live up to this promise. With urban migration accelerating at a dizzying rate – the United Nations projects that over two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities or urban centers by 2050 – existing resources and services in cities are coming under increasing pressure, rendering them dysfunctional and leading to glaring inequities.

Perkins&Will Wins Competition for the Design of Smithsonian’s Bezos Learning Center in Washington D.C.

Maria-Cristina Florian — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:30:00 +0000

The Smithsonian Institution selected Perkins&Will to design the Bezos Learning Center at the National Air and Space Museum in located on the prominent National Mall in Washington D.C. Perkins&Will was one of the five shortlisted finalists for the competition. According to the Smithsonian, the selection was based on the architects’ ample experience in designing cultural and educational spaces, the reliability of their management team and the team’s aesthetic approach.