Masonic House of the Temple: a Wonder Hidden in Plain Sight
Masonic House of the Temple. Photo: Jorge Bela There is plenty of invocation to classical architecture in Washington. Even modern buildings include ornamental or structural features that can be traced to antiquity, sometimes in a subtle manner, such as the patterns on the Metro’s station vaults, sometimes in a truly bizarre way, such as the superimposition of two different Italian palazzos into what is now the National Building Museum. L’Enfant’s 18 th century plan and several major early buildings, such as the White House or the Capitol, seemed to set the path to follow. In the 19 th century, however, there was some appetite to explore other styles, as best exemplified by the Old Executive Office Building, the Library of Congress or the first Smithsonian Institution. By the early 20 th century the debate was settled, and the classicalworld became the dominant influence for the next seven decades. I admit that I have a soft spot for buildings that are almost carbon copies of
