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The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, DC -- the former US Patent Building.<p /> <a href="http://www.si.edu/">The Smithsonian Institution's</a> National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in <a href="”">Washington, DC</a> -- the former US Patent Building. Saved by President Eisenhower from impending <a href="”">demolition</a> in 1958, the historic building is currently in the midst of a remarkable <a href="”">renovation</a> by Inhabitat favorite <a href="http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Practice/Default.aspx">Foster + Partners</a>. Read on for a look at the incredible eco renovation, complete with a vaulted canopy that suffuses the interior with light.1
The Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, DC -- the former US Patent Building.The roof was designed with eight aluminum-surfaced columns that reflect the style of the building and are perfectly placed to ensure that the weight of the vaulted ceiling does not affect <a href="”">the historic structure</a>. In addition to being a beautiful place to gather, the courtyard can be seen from the museum’s many galleries providing a summer-like vista even on the coldest of winter days.2
Recently redesigned by the green architecture firm Foster + Partners, the vaulted glass ceiling of the courtyard is an ode to the sky. It brings light and nature inside while melding perfectly with the buildings classic Grecian style.Recently redesigned by <a href="”">Foster + Partners</a>, the vaulted <a href="//www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/01/recycled-windshield-greenhouse-grows-more-glass/”">glass ceiling</a> of the courtyard is an <a href="”">ode to the sky</a>. It brings light and <a href="”">nature inside</a> while melding perfectly with the building's classic Grecian style.3
The roof was designed with eight aluminum surfaced columns that reflect the style of the building and are perfectly placed to insure the weight of the vaulted ceiling does not affect the historic structure. Along with being a beautiful place to gather the courtyard can be seen from the museums many galleries providing a summer-like vista even on the coldest of winter days.The centerpiece of the restoration is the building's impressive Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard.4
The courtyard is now the largest event space in Washington D.C. complete with fully grown trees.The courtyard is now the largest <a href="”">event space</a> in Washington D.C., complete with <a href="”">fully grown trees</a>. The lattice work of the ceiling is reflected in the <a href="”">unique water feature</a> on the floor and the feeling of being outside is enhanced by the beautiful <a href="”">landscape design</a> by Kathryn Gustafson of Seattle–based <a href="”">Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd.</a>5
The courtyard's wavy steel and glass design is added to Foster + Partner's impressive list of projects. They designed the LEED Gold Hearst Tower in New York City, the Great Court at the British Museum in London and the Reichstag, the New German Parliament in Berlin.The courtyard's wavy steel and glass design is the latest of Foster + Partner's impressive list of projects. They designed the <a href="”">LEED Gold Hearst Tower</a> in <a href="”">New York City</a>, the Great Court at the British Museum in <a href="”">London</a> and the Reichstag, the New German Parliament in <a href="”">Berlin</a>.6
It is meant to be a gathering space with lectures and concerts happening regularly, free public WiFi and a casual dining cafe.The courtyard is meant to be a public gathering space, with regular lectures and concerts, free public WiFi and a casual dining cafe.7
