Architecture is always part of a dialogue which includes not just what built, but what was left only on paper. As we have finished the inauguration of the President it is perhaps appropriate to turn attention to the unbuilt architecture at the Capitol. Stephen Ayers, the Architect of the Capitol, has written an interesting and informative article describing the exhibit “Unbuilt Washington” now at the National Building Museum. Just as fascinating as the projects themselves are the reasons they were not built. Let me know if you have any favorites.
p.s. Another article, A Vision Deferred, with a similar theme. This is about works of architecture who get built or not after the death of the architect.