When Architects Attack: Ward 8’s New Proposed Library

Washington Highlands has a new library coming to the Southwest DC neighborhood. Designed by British architect David Adjaye, it sports an ultra-modern look and floor plan where apparently right angles are hard to come by. The project rendering appears to be quite out of place for DC and will stir up probably the same sentiments about the Frank Gerhy Corcoran extension or Eisenhower Memorial Award.

As the rare, neo-classical loving architecture guy, I think it is reminiscent of a preschool meets the design studio project of a sophomore architecture school student who loves Zaha Hadid.

Apparently I’m not alone as the neighborhood has been speaking out against the design as well. Adjaye has countered these complaints by stating that “Modernity need not be a frightening thing.” Modernity, Mr. Adjaye, isn’t frightening in and of itself, nor should it be barred from use in the design of this library. But something utilizing a more austere form would be welcome. For example, the Bibliotheque Nationale de France (photos: [1] [2]).

According to their website, Adjaye Associates is also designing a library to replace the existing Francis Gregory facility which at least has some remote archetypal connection to the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Memorial (and therefore the classical temple).

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