Product Description

The new edition of this popular guide is a companion for tourists and residents alike--for anyone interested in contemporary Washington and its most important architectural landmarks. The book offers concise descriptions and photos of some of the city's most notable structures, including nearly 100 built since the mid-1970s. 400 photos. 17 maps.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1333422 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From Library Journal
Washington possesses a rich architectural heritage that spans well over two centuries. This guidebook, initially commissioned by the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1965 and last updated in 1974, provides a welcome introduction to the architecture of the nation's capital. Organized into 17 walking tours, over 450 structures are concisely described and professionally photographed. Some of the city's newer, mediocre buildings are given more attention than they deserve; the city's unfortunate penchant for constructing new buildings behind historic facades receives scant criticism; there are no photographs of building interiors; and buildings located outside of the district's boundaries (such as Dulles Airport) have been excluded from this edition. Despite these quibbles, this is a significant reference tool for Washingtonians that fills a major void.
H. Ward Jandl, National Park Svc., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A new guidebook to the capital city's architecture brings powerful evidence of the continuing evolution of Washington's streetscape... Beyond the additions, the book represents a major reworking of the previous edition -- some entries have been deleted, descriptions have been improved, and many new photographs have been included." -- Washington Post

"This recently updated third edition of a Washington classic surveys hundreds of the District's most notable architectural landmarks. Arranged into 17 walking tours, this handsomely illustrated guide covers not only the monuments of the Mall, but also the diplomatic chateaux lining Massachusetts Avenue NW; the churches, parks, and other monumental architecture that climb up Meridian Hill; and the 'brutalism on a grand scale' that characterizes the new FBI building and other bureaucratic monstrosities." -- Washington Times

"The model of what a concise, attractive guidebook should be." -- Mid-Atlantic Country

Customer Reviews

Washington by Design
This is a wonderful book that highlights all the most important buildings in the District. It gives a short synopsis on each buiding highlighted, some like the Capitol and the White House getting a bit more coverage. It was quite comprehensive, and the buildings covered came with pictures. It is not up to the level of the AIA Guide to Detriot or New York, but it is a nice guide none the less. I definitly recommend it to anyone interested in the architecture of the District.

Great architectural overview of the nation's capital city.
This AIA guide to Washington, DC is a great resource for those interested in learning a little about the many interesting buildings in the nation's capital. It is concise enough to add more interest and depth to a tourist's visit to DC and comprehensive enough to offer enough information to keep an amateur architecture enthusiast informed about DC's architecture. As a student of classical architecture in the nation's capital, I used this book to provide me with some fundamental, perfunctory background about the monuments, federal buildings, and privately-owned buildings of the city. It has served me well and I have no doubt that it will provide most with a more than adequate introduction to the finer points of this nation's city.