Washington, D.C. has many great museums. One of its least known may be the most interesting to architects, planners, builders, and others. The National Building Museum is all about the built environment.
On a recent trip to Washington. D.C., Los Angeles County planner Clement Lau visited the National Building Museum, a museum about the built environment. Saved from demolition in 1969 to house the museum, the building—on the National Register of Historic Places—itself is a highlight:
The National Building Museum is housed in the former Pension Bureau building, a brick structure completed in 1887 and designed by Montgomery C. Meigs, the U.S. Armyquartermaster general. It is notable for several architectural features, including the spectacular interior columns which I could not help, but marveled at upon entering the museum. The building also has a frieze, sculpted by Caspar Buberl, stretching around the exterior of the building and depicting Civil War soldiers in scenes somewhat reminiscent of those on Trajan’s Column as well as the Horsemen Frieze of the Parthenon.
But of course, the measure of a museum is its exhibits rather than their container. In this, the National Building Museum does not disappoint. Its exhibits chronicle the country's changes in construction techniques and materials, and include detailed scaled models of some of the country's most notable buildings. It's also a great outing for the family. It includes:
. . . a special area for kids called the Building Zone . . . kids have the opportunity to: build a tower or brick wall, flip through an architecture picture book in the Book Nook, drive bulldozers and other construction play trucks in the Construction Zone, pretend to be a craftsperson complete with a hard hat, tool belt, and goggles, and explore the museum’s Project Playhouse, a life-size custom built “green” house.
The museum's large gift shop, with its diverse selection of design-related items in the store has been repeatedly recognized as one of the country's best. For more about Lau's vistit to the museum, visit the main article.
FULL STORY: A Museum for Architects and Planners
D.C. Revamps its Vision Zero Plan to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities
Washington, D.C. was an early adopter of Vision Zero in the United States, but eventually it became emblematic of the country's lack of progress in reducing traffic collisions.
D.C. Region Sets Goal to Reduce GHG Emissions From Transportation 50% by 2030
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the D.C. region—and the rest of the country. The D.C. region is committing to drastic actions to change their ways, however.
D.C. Adds New Safety Requirement in Wake of Recent Collapses
A series of incidents including the fatal collapse of a condo building in Surfside, Florida have prompted the District to implement safety enhancements to its building safety review.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions