DC Brutalism

October 10, 2016

Exterior of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Exterior of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.


 

 

I’ve recently felt like Washington DC was calling for me to visit. So after weeks of press and social media posts regarding the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the reopening of the National Gallery’s East Building, I did some research on my beloved Brutalism in the District to see what else I could visit should I make the trip.
Turns out there is an abundance of concrete structures, one notable example that I was previously unaware of, and that would prove to be worth the trip by itself.
I semi-purposely planned this trip to fall on #WorldArchitectureDay, where various sites around the world would celebrate in their own way to acknowledge some of the heroes in our built environment.
The big event in DC was at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, aka the concrete donut designed by SOM’s Gordon Bunshaft. I had only recently learned about this unique design, but as soon as I saw one abstract photograph of it, I knew I had to see it.
A photo group by the name of Walk With Locals hosted the event, while Deane Madsen, associate design editor for Architect Magazine acted as our tour guide, leading us throughout the courtyard and sculpture garden, illuminating everyone on why brutalism is simply a misunderstood style and needs love too.

 

 

Exterior of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Exterior of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

Interior court of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Interior court of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

In addition, I made a point to see the two Breuers that sit just a few short blocks apart. The Hubert H. Humphrey Building features one of the more dynamic solutions for window framing that I’ve seen Breuer utilize.

 

Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

The Robert C. Weaver Building (HUD Headquarters) is an entirely different animal. The sheer scale of this building is almost overwhelming. It’s saving grace however, is the fact that most of the mass is set back 100 feet or so from the street. At the north and south ends of the building, the facade sweeps outward, creating a slightly enveloped plaza with various circular elements that soften the otherwise harsh and foreboding fortress.

 

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer.  Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

Robert C. Weaver Building in Washington DC by architect Marcel Breuer. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

 

Last but not least is perhaps DC’s most publicly utilized and recognizable design in the Brutalist motif. The numerous Metrorail stations by Harry Weese feature a graceful waffled coffer, supplying patrons with some visual interest during their commute. I didn’t ride it anywhere, but I hear the trains are even carpeted.

 

L'Enfant Plaza Metrorail station in Washington DC by architect Harry Weese. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.

L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail station in Washington DC by architect Harry Weese. Photograph by Jason R. Woods.