“America’s Favorite Architecture,” by the American Institute of Architects’ Shape America Program, highlights the top 150 favorite buildings in the United States. The exhibit runs through Monday, Dec. 1 in the University of New Mexico’s George Pearl Hall Gallery.
This exhibit began as part of AIA’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2007. It initiated a national conversation about American architecture and allowed people to vote for their favorite buildings, bridges and monuments.
The countdown includes many widely recognized favorites such as the Washington Monument, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo., the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center.
The top 10 are:
10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
9. Chrysler Building
8. Biltmore Estate
7. Lincoln Memorial
6. U.S. Capitol
5. Golden Gate Bridge
4. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
3. Washington National Cathedral
2. White House
1. Empire State Building
This year, AIA presents a supplement to the exhibit, a video series in which AIA architects share personal stories and opinions about the famous buildings. The videos, as well as a forum to rate each structure and submit comments, are available at: Favorite Architecture.
The exhibit is free and open to the public during normal business hours. George Pearl Hall is located on UNM’s main campus at 2401 Central Ave. NE. Call 277-2903 for more details.
Story by Jazmen Bradford