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Mapping Architect Michael Graves' Designs in Washington, D.C.

By Michelle Goldchain
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By Michelle Goldchain
5 comments / new

Described as "one of the most renowned and most polarizing architects" by The Washington Post, architect Michael Graves took the world by storm with his postmodern designs. From multi-colored schools to whistling bird teakettles, Graves designed anything and everything, creating a prolific body of work that totaled to over 350 buildings and over 2,000 products. After founding the architectural firm Michael Graves & Associates in 1964, he went on to design numerous works in Washington, D.C., including the multi-colored school St. Coletta of Greater Washington and the glowing scaffolding of the Washington Monument in 1999. For those who not only admire Graves' works, but wish to see them up close, here is a map of every building of his that can be found in Washington, D.C.


· Architect Michael Graves' impact on Greater Washington [Washington Business Journal]
· Michael Graves, innovative architect and designer, dies at 80 [The Washington Post]
· Remembering Michael Graves with 18 of His Most Colorful, Exuberant Buildings [Curbed National]
· Prolific Postmodern Architect Michael Graves Dead at 80 [Curbed National]

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St. Coletta of Greater Washington

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Michael Graves designed the St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a school for students with disabilities. The school is divided into five colorful "houses" that serve different groups of students depending on their ages.

1901 Independence Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 350-8680
(202) 350-8680

Department of Transportation

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According to the Washington Business Journal, Michael Graves designed the Department of Transportation's headquarters. The headquarters includes one eight-story and one nine-story building, both with multi-colored facades. Inbetween both buildings is an open-air plaza.

1200 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20590

Charles E. Beatley Jr Central Library

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According to Washington Business Journal, Michael Graves designed the peaked roof for the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library in Alexandria. The library opened in 2000.

5005 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 746-1700
(703) 746-1700

International Finance Corporation

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The headquarters for the International Finance Corp. was designed by architect Michael Graves. The headquarters spans 1.1 million-square-feet with a conference and training center, library, and cafeteria.

2121 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20433

Sigma Chi Fraternity

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This fraternity house holds the Epsilon chapter for George Washington University. It was designed by Michael Graves.

2156 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

William B. Bryant Annex

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This annex in the U.S. Courthouse was built to honor William Benson Bryant, the first African American to serve as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C.

3rd St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Washington Monument Scaffolding

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Michael Graves designed the scaffolding for the restoration of the Washington Monument in 1999.The design allowed the structure to glow at night.

100 Lenfant Plz SW, Washington, D.C. 20560
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

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Riverside Apartments

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Michael Graves worked on the master plan for the Riverside Park residential development, according to the Washington Business Journal

George Washington Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22308

Springhill Lake Apartments

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Springhill Lake is planned to be one of the largest rental properties on the east coast, according to The Washington Post. Architect Michael Graves was chosen to design the property along with Keith McPeters.

9133 Edmonston Ter, Greenbelt, MD 20770

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St. Coletta of Greater Washington

1901 Independence Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20003

Michael Graves designed the St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a school for students with disabilities. The school is divided into five colorful "houses" that serve different groups of students depending on their ages.

1901 Independence Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 350-8680
(202) 350-8680

Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20590

According to the Washington Business Journal, Michael Graves designed the Department of Transportation's headquarters. The headquarters includes one eight-story and one nine-story building, both with multi-colored facades. Inbetween both buildings is an open-air plaza.

1200 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20590

Charles E. Beatley Jr Central Library

5005 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304

According to Washington Business Journal, Michael Graves designed the peaked roof for the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library in Alexandria. The library opened in 2000.

5005 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 746-1700
(703) 746-1700

International Finance Corporation

2121 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20433

The headquarters for the International Finance Corp. was designed by architect Michael Graves. The headquarters spans 1.1 million-square-feet with a conference and training center, library, and cafeteria.

2121 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20433

Sigma Chi Fraternity

2156 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

This fraternity house holds the Epsilon chapter for George Washington University. It was designed by Michael Graves.

2156 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

William B. Bryant Annex

3rd St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This annex in the U.S. Courthouse was built to honor William Benson Bryant, the first African American to serve as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C.

3rd St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Washington Monument Scaffolding

100 Lenfant Plz SW, Washington, D.C. 20560

Michael Graves designed the scaffolding for the restoration of the Washington Monument in 1999.The design allowed the structure to glow at night.

100 Lenfant Plz SW, Washington, D.C. 20560
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

Riverside Apartments

George Washington Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22308

Michael Graves worked on the master plan for the Riverside Park residential development, according to the Washington Business Journal

George Washington Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22308

Springhill Lake Apartments

9133 Edmonston Ter, Greenbelt, MD 20770

Springhill Lake is planned to be one of the largest rental properties on the east coast, according to The Washington Post. Architect Michael Graves was chosen to design the property along with Keith McPeters.

9133 Edmonston Ter, Greenbelt, MD 20770