John Adams Building, Government library in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States
The John Adams Building is a government library on Capitol Hill with walls of white Georgia marble and a steel framework rising six stories above a basement level. Its design displays clear neoclassical features throughout the structure.
Congress approved funding in 1930 for this second Library of Congress building, which opened in 1939. The project responded to the institution's growing collections and need for additional space.
Bronze sculptures at the entrance depict figures from different mythologies around the world, representing how knowledge comes from many cultures and traditions.
The building contains multiple levels of interior stacks organized for book storage, making it relatively easy for visitors to navigate the collection. The clear layout helps orient you, even though the scale of holdings is vast.
The building used innovative materials for its time in construction, including acoustic blocks, formica, and glass tubing. These experiments with modern materials showed a desire to be forward-thinking in durability and function.
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