Wade's Solo DC Architectural Extravaganza!

Last weekend, Kinsey had to fly back to Minnesota to be a bridesmaid in her good friend Jamie's wedding. This left me all alone in DC with no plans for the weekend. Since every time I drone on about architecture I bore Kinsey out of her mind, I decided that while I was on my own, it would be a good time to see some of the architectural sites around DC. I did a little research on what I would be seeing and then dove in.


Smithsonian Kogod Courtyard by Foster + Partners - This is the one place that Kinsey and I had already been to (its in the Portrait Gallery.) For those of you familiar with Lord Norman Foster's work, this definitely carries his signature. Highly technological-looking metal and glass, transmitting curved forms.


Overall, the courtyard works well with the classic architecture. The support columns were maybe the one piece that looked a little out of place.

Looking at the relationship of new and old.

The courtyard really took on new life when the sun came out, casting a sharp diagrid pattern of shadows over everything.

These "water scrims" were designed by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson. Just a small thickness of water cascading maybe a one or two inch drop in the floor. Little kids just loved playing in these water fixtures.

After I left the Kogod courtyard, I thought I'd wander around a little bit. I decided to walk around the block and found myself smack dab in the middle of Chinatown.

Everything in Chinatown is written in both English and Chinese letters, as you can see from the Subway and Starbucks.

Some more wandering led me to this burnt out church, which from afar looked like a ruin, but when I got closer, I realized it was still a functioning church. I guess they haven't got around to fixing it yet.

I don't know what it is, but I really like the way this building bridges out over the street.

Also an unscheduled stop on my trip was the Dept of Housing and Urban Development designed by Marcel Breuer. I had no idea this was a Breuer building until I looked it up later.

I was really drawn in by these white disc shading devices which stand in interesting contrast to the square windows.
I have no idea what this building is, but it really fascinated me.

I thought it had something to do with the rail lines, but the tracks seem to be abandoned in this area.

I really like the muscular use of steel and prefab concrete. If it is a railroad building, the materials express its function well.

The most interesting aspect of this building were the translucent plastic panels on the steel part. The steel had rusted and then streaked down the panels. The effects make it look almost intentional.
Another government building designed by Breuer, the Dept of Health and Human Services.

The Smithsonian National Museum for the American Indian designed by Jones and Jones Architects - I was always attracted to the curvy, stone clad form of this museum on the National Mall, but Kinsey and I never got around to going in.

The building cantilevering out over the main entrance.

The form and materials really evoke the prairie and are a good choice for an American Indian museum.

The inside was underwhelming. A lot of white walls and an attempt at a post modern dome. Not enough of the character from the outside.

Day two of my self-led architecture tour was what I like to call "Embassy day," because all I saw were embassies. The German embassy, designed by O.M. Ungers, was only a few blocks from our apartment, and when you think about it, it really does look German, doesn't it?

I really like the depth of the facade, especially that wire screen thats catching the sunlight.

Up next is the Swiss embassy designed by my personal favorite Steven Holl. This is actually the Swiss residence and not the embassy itself. I wanted to get closer but...

... this blocked my path. Not wanting to cause an international incident with Switzerland (again), I decided I would just take pictures from afar.

This building has the full Steven Holl checklist. Clear, geometric form; check. Hints of phenomenology; check. Channel glass; check. I do like the mixture of openings punching through and behind the channel glass.

I need more zoom on my camera.

The last stop for my solo weekend was the Embassy of Sweden, designed by Swedish architects Gert Wingardh and Tomas Hansen.

The House of Sweden, as it is called, sits right on the banks of the Potomac River and responds to it with multiple layers of transparency.

I really like these types of connections.

It really feels like you could just stick your arm up to your below in the facade of this building.

A look at apparently the wood-themed transparent panels.

This is the C & O Canal, which is right next to where I worked in DC. As I was walking back to the apartment, I thought I'd snap a picture of where I got to eat lunch everyday. Just a really peaceful place.