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Share Your Thoughts on America's Favorite Architecture

The people have spoken. The poll is closed. Now it’s your turn to react. Use this space to comment on America's Favorite Architecture.  What has the public missed?  Where did they surprise you? And what do you think was on their minds? Also feel free to add comments on individual choices—each has its own blog. We want to make sure we give every one of our top 150 landmarks the recognition they deserve.  Make a point, share some facts, or start a discussion.  We value your input.

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Comments (227)

Dino Marcantonio:

My compliments to the AIA for starting this long-overdue discussion. The profession, in my humble opinion, is quite out of touch with the public.

Brian Krenzer:

What about the John Hancock Building in Chicago, more beloved and far more graceful than its blocky cohort: The Sears Tower.

Kudos to AIA for creating this list. The results make it clear that architects and designers need to become better communicators and advocates for excellence in design over sentimentality.

Grachel Kubaitis:

This is a great list, but it leaves out two buildings that create wonderful exterior spaces: The University of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson, and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center by Leo Daly.

Jon:

Detroit's Guardian building or Fisher Building. Even though the Michigan Central Depot is abandoned, its still an impressive structure and far more worthy than some of the train stations included in the list.

Jon:

The Guardian building in Detroit, perhaps my favorite skyscraper ever built.

There are many worthy buildings designed by Albert Kahn such as the Fisher building or the Belle isle conservatory.

Michigan Central Depot, though abandoned, is a far more impressive structure than many of the train stations that made the list.

R. A. Ayer & Partners :

A. Smith of AIA, what an outstanding job! Your presentation and commentary is sure to spark many roundtable discussions. You're leading the way. Congratulations!

Dexter:

I nominate the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, the Space Needle in Seattle, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Stephanie:

Ummmm...where is the Wainwright Building (Louis Sullivan, St. Louis); The Rookery (Burnham & Root, Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago); or anything by Louis Kahn such as the Salk Institute (La Jolla).

Pete Kalison:

Enjoyed the list of America's most beautiful buildings.

However, when it came to the college buildings included,
there is a glaring omission..
the Wren Building at William & Mary.

To include the Yale Hockey Arena (yikes!!) over the Wren is remarkable.

Not only is the Wren Building, attributed to architect Christopher Wren
(who else?), the oldest university building in the USA (1694, a stunning architectural achievement by itself, but its magnificent vistas...both front and back...are perhaps unrivalled among America's colleges.

Perhaps it was skipped because Wren was British,
but no respectable list can omit this timeless classic.

sincerely,

Pete Kalison
Williamsburg, VA

Chanin Nuntavong:

Merriam-Webster defines architecture as ?the art or science of building; specifically: the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones?

I was shocked to see that one of my favorite pieces of American architecture was not listed:

Central Park (1857); New York, NY; Frederick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux

I believe architecture goes beyond buildings. It took 13 years to complete the 843-acre park. That?s longer than it took to build the Empire State Building (1) and The White House (2) combined. But it doesn?t compare to the 83 years it took to complete the Washington National Cathedral (3).

Another structure that was overlooked was the Palace of Fine Arts (1915); San Francisco, CA; Bernard Maybeck.

Overall I was impressed by AIA and applaud their work on this project.

Chanin Nuntavong:

Merriam-Webster defines architecture as "the art or science of building; specifically: the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones."

I was shocked to see that one of my favorite pieces of American architecture was not listed:

Central Park (1857); New York, NY; Frederick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux

I believe architecture goes beyond buildings. It took 13 years to complete the 843-acre park. That?s longer than it took to build the Empire State Building (1) and The White House (2) combined. But it doesn?t compare to the 83 years it took to complete the Washington National Cathedral (3).

Another structure that was overlooked was the Palace of Fine Arts (1915); San Francisco, CA; Bernard Maybeck.

Overall I was impressed by AIA and applaud their work on this project.

I remember years ago - when schools were ranked as the "best" drinking school in the nation - the University of Virginia was never ranked - because it was considered a "professional drinking school". I guess that goes for Architecture as well. In 1976, on the occasion of the nation's bicentennial - a similar survey was conducted by Architecture Magazine - then the organ of the AIA - except it only involved Architects. At that time, Mr. Jefferson's University of Virginia - was judged to be the finest example of Architecture in America. I can only assume that its' "number" must have been "retired" at the time to give opportunities to less deserving buildings and structures . . . since it isn't on this motley (look it up) list.

Robert M. Craig:

Bernard Maybeck's First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley

Mies's Farnsworth House, Plano, Il

Adler and Sullivan's Wainwright Building, St. Louis

Furness's Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philly

Louis Kahn's Salk Center

An interesting list, but as I look at what is NOT listed....need I say more

Andy:

Hey Stephanie,

The Rookery is #128 - no question a national treasure.


The only building by Kahn to make the list is Phillips Exeter Academy (#80). Only one building by Kahn made the list!? A lot of us are scratching our heads.

Andy:

Pete,

The Wren building at William and Mary is a great nomination. But I'm pretty happy that Eero Saarinen's Yale ice hockey arena made the list.

Andy:

Robert,

The Furness Library is on the list at number 54. Its official name is Fisher Fine Arts Library.

Robert Johnson:

- Corn Palace Mitchell SD
- Space Needle - Seattle WA
- Univ. Washington Stadium

No St. Louis Arch? Really?

William Munsey:

The Museum of the North in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City are worthy of consideration. And I am in hearty agreement with two choices that have been previously mentioned: the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary, and the Rotunda and Lawn at the University of Virginia.

Joe Brown:

The list was obviously put together but a bunch of architects who spend most of their lives on the East coast. Haven't seen anything more biased to bad New York design and the whole rehash greek architecture DC thing.


Like to see the stats of where these 1800 people get their coffee in the morning.

Graham:

I am appalled that the Seagram building did not make this list. Clearly the average American has little appreciation for true architecture. I mean, Frank Gehry? Are you joking? It's not architecture, it's sculpture with doors.

Patrick:

I hate to break it to you but there are a heck of a lot of cities not represented on there. Enough with the NYC worship. Yes, all of us in flyover nation know of your greatness.

-Charles Lang Freer Mansion by Wilson Eyre
-Detroit Institute of Arts by Paul Cret
-Detroit Public Library–Main by Cass Gilbert
-Michigan Central Station by warren and Wetmore
-Highland Park Library (MI) M. Burrowes with Edward Tilton and Alfred Githens
-Guardian Building by Wirt C. Rowland
-Grand Hotel (Mackinaw) Mason and Rice
-Fisher Building by Albert Kahn
-GM Building (Kahn)
-Ford Rouge (Kahn)
-Mich Con Gas Building by Minoru Yamasaki
-Cranbrook by Eliel Sarrinen

Greg:

Cooper Union Foundation Building

Tony:

Well, how about the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, TN. It's the third largest free standing pyramid in the world. Very nice looking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PyramidArena.jpg
http://www.pyramidarena.com/overview.html

Also, the BellSouth Tower in Nashville (aka The Batman Building) is a pretty interesting structure. Very distinctive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bellsouthbuilding.jpg

As an afterthought, I think the FedEx Forum in Memphis is also a very classy looking building, inside and out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FedExForum.jpg
http://www.fedexforum.com/homepage.aspx

willi:

OK, I'm eastern but only from familiarity.

Try:

The Richardson designed house in North Easton MA.

The Chrysler Building.

Robert Diaz:

You've gotta be kidding me. The Nat'l Cathedral & St. Patrick's, plus the Capitol, in the top 20? Has the whole nation gone middlebrow?

Matt Notley:

Quick thoughts on some missing notables...

The Mormon Temple in Salt lake City, Utah is at least better than the Apple Store, sheesh.

A little known favorite Frank Lloyd Wright building is "Great Workroom", of the Johnson Wax Headquarters building.

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose has a better story than a half dozen of your 150.

Space Needle, 'nuff said

mara:

Though a native New Yorker, my heart skipped a beat viewing the Frost Bank Tower at night while flying into Austin, Texas. Opposite the Capitol and Tower, it glowed beautifully in the night sky!

As far as your list is concerned, I would have switched the Rose Museum and TWA Airport Terminal positions. The Rose Museum is a dud, while the TWA Airport Terminal is magestic - it soars like an eagle! On the other hand, the Rose Museum with it's encased sphere looks like a caged bird!

Paul :

the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL is the Crown Jewel in chicago architecture. It is housed in the only in-place surviving building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the former Fine Arts Building.

Deane A. Kemper:

No California missions? Santa Barabara & Carmel are worthy of inclusion. In the same style, the Quadrangle and University Church at Stanford.
Also the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, SC.

Julie:

I was suprised that Detroit was completely ignored. Such a mistake to not mention any of the fine architectural structures located in that city. For example:
Michigan Central Station
Wayne County Building
Guardian Builing
Fisher Building

Jon Carlsten AIA< LEED AP:

2/8/07 This was a great deal of fun & a wonderful way to increase public awareness of Architecture. Other than Mr. Jefferson's Lawn at the University of Virginia, I shall not add to the list of what I thought was missing. There will always be omissions in a popularity pole & not everyone will be pleased.

This is a telling indication of what structures & buildings the general public responds to more so than what we professionals might think is good. Perhaps there is something for us to learn here. Again, great effort!

Bruce Boyd:

Many great buildings on the list.

However, the Nebraska Capitol Building in Lincoln is quite magnificent, but was not included. I suspect it was because many people do not get to Nebraska to see it.

Additionally, the Johnson's Wax Headquarters Building in Racine, Wisconsin -- one of Frank Lloyd Wright's gems -- was not on the list.

Bryan Swauger:

Cool list. But the link for (61-80) Points back to (41-60).

Andy:

Bruce,

Nebraska State Capitol is #67.

Fred Cheney:

How about Duke Chapel in Durham, NC? Also, there is not one building in Cleveland that was worthy to make the list of 150? Wow! Severance Hall? Terminal Tower? Wow! Safeco Field and Paul Brown Stadium make it? Interesting.

-FC

Joe Stevens:

Uhhh, where are half the pictures?? I know you guys are smart and stuff, but without a pic how can anyone really believe you? If you couldn't find a picture, maybe you should have chosen another building...

chris:

I was disappointed that none of the wonderful architecture of Columbus, Indiana, was mentioned. A small Midwest town that is home to a treasry of mid to late 20th century architecture: churches, schools, businesses and government buildings designed by some of the biggest names of the time.

Jarbo:

Hello...?

Ok so Wright is well represented but... where is the Guggenehim Museum in NY?

Dan:

LDS temple and tabernacle in Salt Lake
Missions in California, especially the Santa Barbara Mission
Denver airport?

Andy:

Jarbo,

Guggenheim is #74.

Andy:

Dan,

Denver Airport is #57

Martin Tangora:

Interesting how emotional the rankings are. And bizarre.
The missing masterpiece above all others is the Adler & Sullivan skyscraper in Buffalo, the Guaranty or Prudential Building. No other office building can touch it, certainly not the Wainwright.
I have a dozen others that nobody has mentioned yet ...

Ray:

St. Louis Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis, MO ( largest Mosaic church in the world )
was not mentioned, a lot better looking than St. Patrick's..

See for yourself..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Basilica_of_St._Louis

Bob:

Wright's Johnson Wax buildings in Racine, WI are missing. I'm also disappointed that the list leaves out many Chicago structures. It appears to be rather NY centric. What about Mies van der Rohe's contributions?

Kristie L.:

The Marin Civic Center in Marin County, CA, as designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Marin_Civic_Center.html

Adam Streeter:

I agree with Matt in that the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City should have been included. I live in Salt Lake City and there some beautiful architecture here. I was happy to see the Salt Lake City public library listed (no picture, though... just picture the Roman Coliseum if they rebuilt it in the 21st century...) All in all, a great list! I like all the NYC buildings. I know there are a lot of them, but it's a great city with some excellent architecture.

scott:

First, items 61-80. it shows 41-60 twice, skips straight to 81.

Second, at least half a dozen buildings in Detroit - it's got a fantastic collection of 1920's architecture, yet is noticeably absent from the list. The Guardian and Fisher buildings at the very least, I'd throw in Michigan Central Depot and the Penobscot too, and even the RenCen over some of the ones on this list - it's far more recognizable then many of them.

dustin:

Three of the greatest buildings in the country stand in a row in Fort Worth, Texas and none of them made the list. I am speaking of the Amon Carter Museum (Philip Johnson), the Kimbell Art Museum (Louis Kahn), and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (Tadao Ando). It is a shame that these buildings were overlooked.

Jerolyn:

what's missing? the correct page for 61-80. I'd really like to see what 61-80 are, so please fix this! thank you.

Andy:

We're not sure why some folks can't get the 61-80 link to work. We're working on it.

Jeff Hoch:

E. J. Thomas Hall for the Performing Arts in Akron, Ohio

Anonymous:

Why didn't the Space Needle make this list?

http://www.earthstation9.com/Pictures/Space_Needle.jpg

Joey:

What about the Marin County Civic Center by FLW? I'm no expert, but it's gotta be cooler than all those baseball stadiums. How many baseball stadiums are on the list? 140? Give me a backhoe and some bricks, and I could build and design a baseball stadium. Dirt holes. Camden Yards and ATT Park are exact replicas, so they should have been counted as one.

Joey:

Oh, I see that Kristie L agrees about the Marin County Civic Center. And, I have never seen the Mormon Temple, but I can pretty much guarantee y'all that it's more architecturally stunning and important than Fenway.

dustin:

Three of the country's greatest building are located in a row here in Fort Worth, Texas. I am referring to the Amon Carter Museum (Philip Johnson), the Kimbell Art Museum (Louis Kahn), and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (Tadao Ando). It is a shame that all three are left out of this list.

John Gilbert:

Thanks to Mr. Pete Kalison of Williamsburg for his Feb 7 note. The Wren Building at William & Mary belongs high on the list, and didn't make it at all.

John Gilbert
Madison, CT

John Gilbert:

Thanks to Mr. Pete Kalison of Williamsburg for his Feb 7 note. The Wren Building at William & Mary belongs high on the list, and didn't make it at all.

John Gilbert
Madison, CT

AM:

Hey, Joey. Because a building was designed by FLW doesn't necessarily bestow success upon it. He was a genius, but he created some true dogs.
Your description of baseball stadiums as "dirt holes" is troubling.
Fenway and Wrigley are great works of architecture because they have endured as vessels for one of our most sacred rituals; baseball. A game at a one of these sites, whether one is a fan of the game or not, will be forever remembered. As an archiect, would I hold these fields up to the Salk Institute? No, but great architecture can be created by the experience, not just the name.

This list is largely for tourists not for thinkers.
Where is the Lawn at UVA? Where is the Charnley House?

Joey:

AM,

"A game at a one of these sites, whether one is a fan of the game or not, will be forever remembered."

Well said. But, if we are to judge architecture by whether a visit becomes an indelible memory, then all the bachelor party brothels in Vegas should make the list. Ooops wait-a-minute, a brothel did make the list -- the Bellagio.

Ryan Whitacre:

Crown Hall at IIT.

T.R.:

I didn't expect a slew of Detroit mentions, but I was shocked that not a single building was listed.

Some of my favorites:

Fisher Building
Detroit Institute of Arts
Michigan Central Depot
Renaissance Center

Anonymous:

The Eads Bridge and the New Cathedral in St. Louis.

The public and even architects are influenced by their own personal experiences. The buildings we are familiar with and that mean something to us ( beyond architectural design )are most apt to be chosen as favorites.

There are many more great buildings not on this list that although less known to the public ( or even architects ) deserve recognition.

Perhaps a list of the 'secret 150 greatest works of architecture' could be a project for the AIA to educate all of us as to what we are missing.

Andy:

Magnus,

"The 150 Best Works of Architecture You've Never Heard of" is a great idea. But how would you go about putting together such a list? And how would you disqualify some works as too well known?

Jeff K:

Once again the AIA proves it has no understanding of what makes a building attractive. I use Seattle as an example. Safeco Field and the new Seattle Library Buildings are not most attractive buildings in Seattle. Other that their respective gift shops, you’ll be hard pressed to find a postcard showing Safeco Field and the new Seattle Library. Or better yet, when was the last time Grey Anatomy included shot of either Safeco Field or the new Seattle Library.

The list requires immediate revision to include the Space Needle and the Smith Tower; two truly beautiful, and not to mention revolutionary, structures.

Nancy Wiltsek:

Bernard Maybeck's Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is a treasure and currently in the midst of a huge restoration effort. I was surprised it was overlooked.

paul:

Pull off the Sears Tower and put the Hancock building in its place. The george Washington Bridge should be on there. The international style was woefully underepresented. The UN was a nice start, but what about the Seagram, Lever or Daley buildings. I can think of countless religious structures infinitely more beautiful than the unfinished St. John the Divine.

Andy,

The buildings and environments that are being suggested on this blog are a good place to start finding hidden gems.

Maybe this dialog will create a list of 1000 'under recognized' architectural works. Selecting 'The 150 Best Works of Architecture You've Never Heard of' could be fun exercise for AIA members.

Andy:

Magnus,

Wouldn't that be wonderful. We've got a long way to go to get 1000 unique mentions of American architectural works, so start sending in your lists people!

Brian A:

A very enjoyable list. I hope to see many of these someday. What's missing? A MAP that allows us to search the buildings by state...

Anonymous:

Ingalls Rink is a great building, but the Yale Art Gallery and the Beinecke Rare Book Library are bar far better building.
But staying in New Haven, how about the Knights of Columbus building, or the failed (and now demolished) but inventive Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, with its parking garage located over the arena.
Also, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York City Hall, and the New York Municipal Building (which inspired no less than Stalin to build his monstrosities) deserve to be included.

Gregory M. Richard:

Somehow this list seems to be a more of a list of "America's Most Recognized Architecture" rather than "America's Favorite Architecture"

How could the average American even know about a relatively obscure buildings like Battle Hall, unless he/she lived in or near the University of Texas,let alone describe it as "a favorite"?

John Edwards:

All in all an interesting list, though I suspect the way the survey was disproportionately skewed to recognize hotels, sports facilities, and public monuments explains many bizarre anomalies (the Bellagio in the top 25??!!) Hard to fathom, however, is the absence of Univ. of Virginia, Salk Institute, or other icons like Dulles Airport, Lever House or Olmsted's parks; there are clearly some distinctions between America's "favorite" and America's "best" architecture ...

Richard L. Wiltshire, P.E.:

I enjoyed seeing how many of these 150 favorite structures have also been recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers with various awards and designations such as the Opal Award and/or National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

John:

I have to chuckle at the desperate attempts here by Michiganders to promote Detroit architecture. The point of the poll was to adduce "America's Favorite" examples of architecture. Why should anyone be surprised that the result turns up a "middle brow" result? But more to point, why should anyone be surprised that a list of "favorites" lacks any reference to Detroit, a desiccated city hobbled by decades of crime and deterioration and consequently shunned by both the business and leisure traveler?

Instead of whining about Detroit's failure to make "the list", you should devote your time to revitalizing your city...more likely, it isn't your city as your addresses are more likely to be Grosse Pointe, Bloomfield, or Ann Arbor...<