AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C.

by G. Martin Moeller Jr., Christopher Weeks

This lively and informative guide offers tourists, residents, and architecture aficionados alike insights into more than 400 of Washington, D.C.’s most important landmarks. Organized into 19 discrete tours, this thoroughly redesigned and updated edition includes 45 new entries, encompassing the House of Sweden, the U.S. Institute of Peace, classic buildings that epitomize the city―the White House, the Capitol, Union Station―and a number of private buildings off the beaten path. G. Martin Moeller, Jr., blends informed, concise descriptions with engaging commentary on each landmark, revealing often-surprising details of the buildings' history and design. Every entry is accompanied by a photograph and includes the structure's location, its architects and designers, and the corresponding dates of completion. Each entry is keyed to an easy-to-read map at the beginning of the tour. From the imposing monuments of Capitol Hill and the Mall to the pastoral suburban enclaves of Foxhall and Cleveland Park, from small memorials to vast commercial and institutional complexes, this guide shows us a Washington that is at once excitingly fresh and comfortably familiar.

Genres: Architecture, Travel, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Gerard Martin Moeller, Jr.

Reviews

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read for anyone who lives in or near Washington, D.C. Because of this guide, I learned so many interesting tidbits like:

- The C&O Canal is short for Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and it went defunct because of the B&O Railroad in Baltimore in the 1920s.
- DC was ranked the most walkable major metropolitan area in the U.S. (2007 Brookings Institution Report)
- The peak of the Capitol building has a statue named Freedom, that was cast using slave labor.
- The word Brutalism derives from the French term béton brut, meaning raw concrete.
- The Smithsonian Institute gets its name from James Smithson, a British scientist who died and left his fortune to the U.S., despite never having visited.
- The Willard Hotel supposedly gave rise to the term lobbyist because so many men prowled the lobby looking for political figures to accost.
-Georgetown University's official colors of blue and gray reflect the colors of the opposing sides of the Civil War.
- The Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown occupies the remnants of a Depression-era garbage incinerator and one of the swankiest restaurant spaces there is a chimney stack room with a single dining table in the base of an old smokestack.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't read this one from cover-to-cover, I found it terrific browsing material. It'll come in handy as I explore DC's architecture in the future, too. One thing I really liked was that this is not a "review by committee" guide -- it's fairly opinionated, but in a good way. I gained some insight into some of the buildings that have intrigued me, and found notes on a number of buildings I'd like to take a closer look at. Highly recommended for architecture buffs -- especially ones in the DC area (or planning a visit).

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a thing for architecture - and living in the DC area there is a plethora of options to explore here in terms of style. I've enjoyed this book for a couple years now - not reading it straight through but instead using it every once in a while before going into the district for meetings or fun. The size is easy to stash in a backpack or bigger bag and it's very informative.

[Guy Waynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the trash when I worked in one of the buildings featured (Canal Square, p. 235). It's a must have for taking your own tour of some of DC's historic architecture as it's a very portable 5.25x9-inch paperback. The book is arranged by neighborhood so you can visit quite a few places in a single trip based on the simple, easy to read maps. I have an avid interest in DC history and it's buildings and always wonder "What building is that?" as I travel around my hometown. The book manages to cram in quite a few sites as it shows one photographic view of each along with a short, single paragraph description. A great "walking" companion to James M. Goode's "Best Addresses".

[Mysteryfan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rare instance where reading the book was defeated by its awkward printing format. Only five inches wide and ten inches tall, so it couldn't be comfortably opened and text got lost in the crease. Too bad - I liked what I read. Some of the descriptions were very amusing. Another shortcoming was its lack of coverage of the eastern District areas.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an enlivened style, G. Martin Moeller, Jr. (Senior Vice President and Curator of the United States’ National Building Museum) summarizes the historical relevance and aesthetical value of many of Washington, D.C.’s buildings. Arranged as a series of walking tours with thumbnail photos, and prefaced with a brief history of the city itself. Honest and astute.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the 1965 edition courtesy of my local library while I was in D. C. last weekend. Very informative and you can see some of the changes over the last 45 years. :)

[Christine Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't think I will ever finish this . . dip into it as necessary/desired.