As part of the Festival of Building Arts, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange along with BMD (Bowen McCauley Dance), bring their high energy dance style to the National Building Museum in Washington, DC for three free performances on Saturday.

The dance performances express the relationship between movement, architecture, and the machinery used to build our community.

This revolutionary concept, dancing on and around earth movers should be a unique and fun experience.

And between performances, check out the National Building Museum.

National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Washington , DC (map it)

Performance will be at G Street between 4th & 5th Streets, NW.

Dates and Times – Saturday, October 11, 2008 – 11:00, 12:30, and 2:00 p.m. Each performance is approximately 15 minutes.

Tickets – Free

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Judiciary Square – Red line, then a 1-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street and garage parking is available in the area.

Images – courtesy of BMD – Pas de Dirt – Photographer: John McCauley

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Post from: The DC Traveler

The museum has four main galleries.

• A great retrospective of architect Eero Saarinen – designer of Dulles Airport terminal, the classic TWA Flight Center at New York’s JFK Airport and the St. Louis Arch (Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). Through Aug. 23, 2008.
• Cityscapes Revealed – Urban American buildings – materials, architectural styles and construction practices. Through 2010.
• Washington: Symbol and City – the evolution of the city, its neighborhoods and how the Federal Government has impacted the city’s architecture. Through 2011.
• Building Zone – The place for small kids to don hard hats, pick up a tool kit and build with giant Legos, blocks and more.

The highlight of the building is the 12-story main atrium and it’s giant faux-marble columns. Originally the Pension Building, the building housed hundreds of government pension clerks who wrote checks to Civil War veterans. Several Presidential inaugural balls have been held at the museum.

The museum also hosts school groups and educators for hands-on workshops and tours.  The children from the DC school group attending the day I visited were all wide eyed and seemed very involved.

National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 (map it)
202-272-2448

Dates and Times – Monday – Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday – 11-5.  Guided tours at 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30 daily.

Admission - FREE

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Judiciary Square – Red line, then a 1-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street and garage parking is available in the area.

Images – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Twentieth-century designer and architect Marcel Breuer (1902-1981) changed modern architecture and interiors. He even influenced “modern” furniture with several now classic designs.

His innovative aluminum and leather strap chair, designed in 1925, was very popular but not called the “Wassily” chain (named after the Italian manufacturer) until its re-release in the 1960s and again was exceptionally popular.  The chair is considered a modern classic.  The Cesca chair was probably copied more than any other chair in the 1970s and 80s, showing up in kitchens and dining rooms across America.

But designing buildings, homes, university buildings, corporate offices, churches, and museums are are considered some of the best works of 20th century Modernism, by a man considered on of the fathers of the movement.

He taught at Germany’s famous Bauhaus school of design and later at Harvard University’s architecture school after moving to the U.S. 

The exhibit, Marcel Breuer: Design And Architecture at the National Building Museum covers all periods of his career including furniture, interiors, architectural work and materials.  It includes drawings and photos, plans, videos and a searchable database to further research Breuer’s work.

The exhibit at the National Building Museum is one of Washington’s least visited but visually beautiful museums. It was originally the Pension Building, a place where in the late 1800s, hundreds of government clerks wrote pension checks for Civil War veterans. The building’s focal point is the massive 12-story atrium surrounded by huge faux-marble columns, which makes for a great photo op.  The atrium has been used for several Presidential inaugural balls.

Additionally, across the street is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, another great photo op.

 Marcel Breuer: Design And Architecture
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001 (map it)
202-272-2448

Dates and Times – Through February 17, 2008.  the museum is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., except Sundays when the museum opens at 11:00 a.m.,

Tickets – Admission to the museum is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Judiciary Square – Red line, the station is adjacent to the museum, or use the DC Circulator.

Parking – Metered street and paid garage parking is available.

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Post from: The DC Traveler

The exhibit features a survey of 20 homes to answer questions about building materials, architecture, design and costs of building a truly green home. Programs include lectures, kids activities, and information on how to go green focusing on the Five Green Principles:

1. Optimizing use of the sun.
2. Improving indoor air quality.
3. Using the land responsibly.
4. Creating high-performance and moisture-resistant houses.
5. Wisely using the Earth’s natural resources.

Check out the museum’s list of 19 Ways to Go Green.

The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design
National Building Museum
401 F Street, N.W., between 4th and 5th Streets
Washington, DC · 20001

Dates and Times – through June 24th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily except Sundays, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tickets – Admission is free, but a $5.00 per person donation is recommended.

Nearest Metro subway station -Judiciary Square – Red line

Parking – Metered street parking is available.

Photos: Case de Carmen by Luis Gordoa, Casurina Beach House by Brett Boardman

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Post from: The DC Traveler