Fresh Hot Architecture

The skyscraper as signage is an extremely poignant concept, especially in the urban fabric of D.C.

Idealistically, D.C.'s architecture should make in depth statements about liberty and democracy. However, it seems that has often been taken to mean it has to be made of stone and have a temple front. Why should democracy in architecture have to be signified by classicism?

If we are to approach this project by obliterating the D.C. height limit, then perhaps we should consider how this building can act as a sign for the ideals that are important to our society. A billboard for democracy, if you will. Only in this instance, we have an opportunity to explore how a building can do that on a large scale without referring back to ancient civilizations. Such symbolism would also provide a reason for breaking the height limit that is recognizable to the public. In other words, non-architects should be able to see our building and understand it's scale and embrace it.


In order to explore this idea, I'll read Learning from Las Vegas. Also, Rem's CCTV tower is also a good precedent to look at for how an architecture can include political/sociological undertones. Morphosis' courthouse is also a good precedent for how to re-interpret what government archicture should be.