Washington DC - architecture

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You’ll find a fascinating selection of architectural styles on display in the city of Washington, DC. From baroque to neoclassical, gothic revival to beaux arts, it’s here in all its glory. For those interested in architecture, we’ve compiled a list of Washington’s best for you to seek out on your next trip.

U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC

Often mistaken for the White House by visiting tourists,  the capitol building serves as the seat of government for the United States Congress, a branch of the U.S. federal government that is responsible for legislation. You can find it at the top of Capitol Hill at the east end of the National Mall. Although not in the geographic center of the District of Columbia, the Capitol building is the focus by which the district is divided into geographical quarters.

The building was originally designed by William Thornton, but the plan was subsequently modified by Benjamin Latrobe, Thomas U. Walter, Charles Bulfinch, Stephen Hallet and August Schoenborn and was completed under the watchful eye of Edward Clark. The Capitol Building consists of a central domed area connected to two large halls, one for the Senate, and one for the House of Representatives. Above both of these chambers are galleries, where visitors can watch the Senate and House of Representatives.        

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial, situated in the National Mall in Washington, DC, stands as a commemoration of the life and deeds of the legendary sixteenth president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial is a collaboration between the architect Henty Bacon, the sculptor Daniel Chester French, and the painter Jules Guerin. It takes the form of a Greek Doric temple, and is centred around a huge sculpture of the man himself above inscriptions of two of his best known speeches.

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument, a presidential memorial to George Washington, is a large, white obelisk at the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Made from marble, granite and sandstone, the Washington Monument is one of the world’s tallest masonry structures, standing nearly 170 metres tall. The final stone was laid in 1885, and the monument was opened to the public in 1888. At the time, it was the world’s tallest structure.

The White House, Washington DC

Completed in 1800, this famous limestone clad Presidential home was designed by Irish builder James Hoban. It has been the residence of every US President since John Adams. Free tours of the White House take place all year round, but advanced booking for these tours is essential. The building’s interiors were reconstructed in 1814 following a fire started by British troops during the War of 1812.

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