Washington is a city where every block tells a different story: from the majestic columns of the Beaux-Arts, to the harmonious classical assumptions of the Mall, to the austere charm of Brutalism in the underground stations and federal buildings. This guide will take you on a journey through ten of the US capital’s most interesting landmarks, where the past meets the modern and every architectural detail inspires you to explore the city. Architect Luke Rossa takes us on a photographic journey. At the very end, we publish a map with the locations mentioned.
1. The Mall
The Mall is a broad park axis in the centre of Washington, surrounded by the most important federal buildings and museums. It stretches from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, creating a monumental public space in the city. It houses the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial and the Capitol, among others. It is a classic example of American urban planning – long scenic axes, precise landscaping and a monumental scale to emphasise the stature of the capital. It’s worth coming here at sunrise – the first light brings out the architecture of the monuments, and you can take advantage of jet lag after your trip to take a walk at dawn, when the park is empty and most photogenic.
2. The West Building of the National Gallery of Art
The West Building is the classical section of the National Gallery of Art, opened in 1941. Designed by John Russell Pope, with a monumental dome modelled on the Roman Pantheon, it houses European art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The interiors of the main halls are bright and symmetrical, with large, milky ceiling planes imitating skylights. Analogous solutions are used in the smaller halls, so that the paintings are evenly lit by artificial light of the right colour temperature and safe for the works. The building has two planted courtyards, which can be a pleasant resting place during a visit.
3. The East Building of the National Gallery of Art
The gallery’s East Building was built in 1978 to a design by Ieoh Ming Peia, who also designed the famous pyramid in the Louvre. The lump of sharp, geometric forms in pink granite houses a collection of contemporary art. The building is famous for its dramatic ramps, bridges and glass atrium, which showcases sculptures by Alexander Calder. The eastern building’s modern architecture creates a stark contrast to the gallery’s classicist western building, to which it is connected by an underground tunnel.
4. National Portrait Gallery / National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is housed in a former Patent Office building dating from the mid-19th century. The classicist edifice with its monumental colonnade and stone facades has been restored and merged with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The new section, designed by Norman Foster, is a glass atrium connecting the wings of the museum. Foster’s architecture created a luminous public space inside the building, giving it a new dimension of entry and representativeness. The modern roof unites history with functionality, creating an open and visitor-friendly place.
5. Building Museum
The National Building Museum is housed in the former Pension Bureau building of 1887, designed by Montgomery Meigs in the Italian Renaissance style. Most impressive is the interior – a huge four-storey main hall surrounded by massive columns. Every summer, it hosts the Summer Block Party series – interactive exhibitions and installations prepared by architectural firms. The projects enter into dialogue with the monumental space of the hall, making it an integral part of the exhibition. The museum is dedicated to architecture, construction and urban planning.
6. Hirshhorn Museum / Hirshhorn Museum
The Hirshhorn Museum is one of the most recognisable Brutalist buildings in Washington. Designed by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM and opened in 1974, it is distinguished by its cylindrical body raised on massive supports, giving it a futuristic, sculptural feel. The raw concrete façade emphasises the brutalist style – the building has no window openings and light enters only from the inner courtyard. The overall design is reminiscent of a concrete ring or spaceship that has landed on the National Mall. The Hirshhorn is dedicated to contemporary art – installations, performances and new media interacting with its radical form.
7. Weaver Building / Weaver Building
The Weaver Building, the headquarters of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is an example of federal brutalism. Designed by Marcel Breuer and completed in 1968, it was the first major federal building in this style in Washington. The distinctive undulating façade of concrete panels and the rhythm of the windows give the façade an austerity. Cut-outs in the massing at ground level and irregular arches lend lightness. The building is devoid of ornamentation – its aesthetic is based on function, structure and material. Criticised for its severity, it is appreciated for its innovation and Breuer’s humanist approach.
8. Hoover Building / Hoover Building
J. Edgar Hoover Building, home of the FBI, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue within the Federal Triangle. Completed in 1975 and designed by the office of Charles F. Murphy & Associates, it displays federal brutalism. A massive building with a large interior courtyard, the edifice is distinguished by its massive cornice and sand-coloured concrete façade. The pillar-supported arcades give the building a fortress-like character. The decoration-free façade emphasises the austerity of the style. The building symbolises the power of federal institutions and remains an icon of Washington architecture.
9. Library of Congress – Thomas Jefferson Building
The Thomas Jefferson Building is the oldest and most representative building of the Library of Congress, opened in 1897. The facade, with its marble columns, granite staircase and rich carvings, is stunning in its detailing. The interior is impressive – from the vestibule with gold mosaics and allegorical paintings to the reading room under the dome with arched windows. A renovation in 1997 restored the building to its splendour. It is one of the most stunning public spaces in the USA.
10. Metro – brutalist stations
The Washington underground, designed by Harry Weese and opened in 1976, is an icon of Brutalism. The coffered concrete vaults and precise lighting give the stations a monumental feel. The rawness of the material and detail make them some of the most interesting Brutalist public spaces in the US. The underground crowns this guide – it connects points along the route, showcasing the city’s great transportation.
text and photos: Lukasz Rossa(https://www.instagram.com/lukasz_rossa)
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