About the Legislative Building
The Legislative Building has many design elements and influences from the past. The architects, Walter Wilder and Harry White, were influenced by the City Beautiful movement at the end of the 19th century.
The building's overall design elements hark back to ancient Greece and Rome. The lower portion of the building is reminiscent of a Greek temple. The upper portion has a magnificent dome, a building technique perfected by the Romans.
The carved stone of the Legislative Building is both more abundant and decorative than any other building in the group. The north and south entrances feature columns with Corinthian capitals, which are mimicked by the columns on the colonnade. Columns with Doric capitals complete the north and south facade. Anthemion cresting tops the main roofline and pediment of the north entrance. One mini-dome rests at each corner of the drum, just below the colonnade and dome proper. These mini-domes feature intricate carvings and decoration.
- See other Legislative buildings of Washington's past.
- Read the description of the Legislative building written by the architects before it was built.
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