Inspired by The Library of Congress

When the Library of Congress opened in 1897, it was considered the most beautiful, educational and interesting building in Washington. It is also the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution.

Photo: Shawn Miller

The grand design of the library’s Thomas Jefferson Building was based on the Paris Opera House and seemed to proclaim America’s faith in knowledge. 

The architectural style was recognized as “Italian Renaissance “ then Beaux Arts Style. This architectural masterpiece is theatrical, heavily ornamented and kinetic.

Design elements of Library of Congress architecture include marbles, granite, gold, bronze and mahogany wood. The ornamental ceilings, with beautiful vines around angels and stars, are the focal point of this design board. ( Carrara – Living Wall – Appian ) 

The Library of Congress collection began in 1800 with a small appropriation to buy reference books, then congress purchased Thomas Jefferson’s 6,487 volume library. From that time the congressional library has steadily grown into what is today the largest in the world.

Photo: Scott McLeod

Library of Congress reading room ceiling rises above the highest part of the dome. Painting represents Human understanding and those who contributed the most to the evolution of western civilization,  by Edwin Blashfield in 1897.

Architecture, Design & Engineering Drawing collection covers about 40,000 drawings, spanning 1600 to 1989, with most dating between 1880 and 1940. The designs are primarily for sites and structures in the U.S., as well as Europe and Mexico. (Pattern Shown Above: Hexagon) 

Source: www.aoc.gov