Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Federal government building near Capitol Hill, Washington DC, United States.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Building is a government structure in Washington DC with a distinctive facade of precast concrete panels. The surface displays alternating double and single window openings set deep into wall recesses, creating a layered texture across the exterior.
The structure opened in 1976 and initially served as headquarters for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Later it became the primary office for the Department of Health and Human Services.
The building features the sculpture Heroic Shore Points I by James Rosati, installed at the south entrance following Congressional approval in 1974. This artwork shapes the public space at the main entrance and is part of the city's art collection.
The building sits at 200 Independence Avenue SW and spans above the Interstate-395 3rd Street Tunnel, which required specialized construction techniques. Visitors should know the site bridges a major traffic corridor and this shaped how the structure was built.
The building represents an early example of air rights construction in Washington DC, which is why it was originally called the Air Rights Building. This creative approach allowed developers to build above the tunnel without disrupting traffic below.
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