CityCenterDC
CityCenterDC is a modern, mixed-use development consisting of luxury retail and dining, condominiums and apartments, offices, public spaces, and a hotel. It is located in downtown Washington, D.C. and is a popular destination for tourists and locals. CityCenterDC’s seasonal and art installations, like the ones shown above, adds to the lively atmosphere.
Library of Congress
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the largest and oldest federal institution and holds over 170 million items. Those items include not only books, but maps, music sheets, photographs, sound recordings, motion pictures, and manuscripts. It also houses catalog books and other printed materials in over 470 languages.
The architecture of the Library, especially the Thomas Jefferson Building, features Beaux-Arts style with strong Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance influences. The Library was constructed using high-quality materials from parts of the U.S., Italy, and France. The building’s exterior was crafted with granite, marble, bronze, and terracotta, while the interior incorporated marble, gold leaf, stained glass, mosaics, oak, and mahogany.
Inscribed in gold around the dome of the Main Reading Room are 12 countries/civilizations: Egypt, Judea, Greece, Rome, Italy, Spain, Islam, the Middle Ages, Germany, England, France, and America. Even though many other countries and nations throughout the world have also contributed to society, these 12 were chosen to represent contributions to knowledge and history.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture
Designed by Tanzanian-born British architect David Adjaye, the National Museum of African American History and Culture was inspired by the Yoruba Caryatid which is a traditional column with a crown on top. Unlike other buildings and monuments in D.C. that are made of sandstone, this museum is made of bronze-colored aluminum panels as a way to pay respect to southern slaves who performed the iron lattice work. Not only does the bronze/golden color pay homage to slaves, but it is also a reminder of Africa royalty as those colors represent wealth, prestige, and beauty. From a geographical perspective, the museum overlooks the Washington Monument (modeled after obelisks created by ancient BLACK Egyptians) and that serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impacts of the African contribution to the world.
Moongate Garden at Smithsonian Castle
Inspired by Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, the Moongate Garden at the Smithsonian symbolizes harmony between earth and sky. One aspect I love about traditional Chinese garden and landscape design is that it’s all about balance: man vs nature, yin vs yang, dark vs light, etc. This garden blends circles for heaven and squares for earth, shaping (no pun intended) the overall design while also reflecting the reflecting the principles of Feng Shui.
National Building Museum
Supreme Court of the United States
National Portrait Gallery
National Gallery of Art – East and West Building
MLK Library
The Waldorf Astoria
Korean War Memorial
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C, the Korean War Memorial honors those who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The centerpiece of the memorial are the 19 stainless steel statues representing the various branches of the armed forces. Furthermore, the black granite wall behind the statues includes the names and faces of the soldiers, nurses, and support personnel who also dedicated their lives. The memorial also includes a Pool of Remembrance, a 128-ft diameter circular reflecting pool honoring those whose sacrificed their lives during the Korean War. The inscription “Freedom is Not Free” serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war.
I’ll be back for more. But for now, here’s a glimpse!
