Posts tagged Modernism
-
Building of the Week: Dulles International Airport
Although Dulles Airport may seem somewhat mundane to Greater Washington residents, its main terminal is an iconic example of mid-century architecture in civil design. It was the first airport in the United States designed for commercial jet use, revolutionizing air travel. Keep reading…
-
The five best Brutalist buildings in DC
Perhaps Brutalist architecture never got a fair chance because of a false cognate. The public has long misunderstood this least lovable of architectural styles, but several local buildings show that even Brutalism can be beautiful. Keep reading…
-
Intelsat building gets a greener, but not more urban front
The former headquarters of Intelsat, a space-age building on Connecticut Avenue near the Van Ness Metro, will get a new entrance. The change will soften a harsh corner, but it won’t fully repair this non-urban building’s relationship to the street. Keep reading…
-
This federal building is missing a corner. Here’s why
The Department of Agriculture South Building an archetypal federal building: big, beige, and boxy. But it’s missing a corner. Why? The L’Enfant Plan and a street that no longer exists. Keep reading…
-
Wheaton’s Youth Center represented the future in 1963. Could it do that again in 2014?
50 years ago, the Wheaton Youth Center brought local teens together around rock-and-roll and symbolized the idealism of the young, fast-growing suburb. As pressure grows to replace it with a new recreation center, can this building adapt to become a part of Wheaton’s future? To some, the 1960s-era building at Georgia and Arcola avenues is a local landmark with a storied… Keep reading…
-
Keegan plans to grow in Church St theater
The Keegan Theatre, on Church Street in Dupont Circle, plans to renovate its building and add a small addition, a new and glassier lobby. The changes will give the cramped theater the backstage space it needs, and will make it accessible to persons with disabilities. The biggest debate will likely revolve around design. Is a lobby with wavy glass an impressive addition to the… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Back to normal
Nats Park neighborhood on the upswing; Chaos to blame?; Showdown at the border; Urban renewal now old; Privatization a mistake?; Fast becomes slow; Density good for revenue. Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Meet the taxis
Meet the cabbie who bikes; Meet Arlington’s karaoke cab; Learn more about DC’s 1st sidewalk cafe; Metro social staff vs. the critics; Chief Lanier vs. the officers; Thomas’ staff promises loyalty for cash; Does Ward 3 need a new school?; And…. Keep reading…
-
Architecture should create sense of place, not “flair”
Erik Weber wrote enthusiastically about two designs by the Mexican architecture firm of TEN Arquitectos. Pieces of flair are appropriate in certain settings. But in historic neighborhoods, architects should ground new construction, especially if it is large, in a “respect of place.” Certainly there is a place for “modern” design… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: In camera
Cleared for videotaping police; DC fairly car-lite; Flashy architecture often has problems; Crystal City a go; Cyclists overpay for road space; NYC unveils new intercoms; And…; Shots, crashes. Keep reading…