Architect Reveals Hidden Details of Washington, D.C. | Architectural Digest

Today Architectural Digest takes you to Washington, D.C. for a walking tour of The National Mall with architect Nicholas Potts, highlighting some complex architectural details hidden in plain sight. The development of our nation's capitol was drastically reimagined by 1902's McMillan plan, implemented primarily to improve the design of the city's monuments and parks. Nick Potts brings this evolution to life, highlighting some remaining vestiges of 19th century D.C. while explaining how the city changed around them - including the White House itself.
Check out Nicholas Potts here:
Website: nicholasgpotts.com/
Instagram: / nicholasgpotts
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[@Jaffa45]

These videos are far superior than the tours of celebrity homes.

[@benb995]

agreed

[@edwardkravchuk5659]

Agreed more of this please!

[@DKGifford19608]

Yes

[@StarCrusher.]

I only ever watch these type of Vids. The grand Central one is still unmatched.

[@tylerhatfield3892]

These are celebrity home tours.

[@hispid1]

Great stuff AD - Can we have more of these please.

[@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358]

Repent to Jesus Christ “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[@TroupeGoal]

Was about to say the same. Best content on the channel.

[@mjj7632]

I agree

[@ColonelPanic007]

Great video. AD should make a series highlighting the architectural treasures and history of each state.

[@remsan03]

It's sad that videos of celebrity homes got millions of view (which is why AD keeps making them), and yet an enlightening, educational and insightful videos like these are less popular. I hope AD keeps making these type of quality videos.

[@LittleTut]

I'm a DC native, NE DC, and live about 1 mile from US Capitol to the north. This video makes me want to plan to go out and explore this beautiful city as I don't go out and about to see to capture this beautiful city like I should. My mother had her retirement celebration inside of the Smithsonian Castle; she worked as a payroll clerk still have those photos taken at the celebration in the early mid 70's. She worked for the government many many years. I remember and still have the photos of rockets that stood outside of the castle, now garden area facing Independence Avenue SW DC. 🤗

[@decounltd5485]

@@nonyabuziness5082 Wow! You definitely have never visited this world class city. While there is crime in some parts of the city like any other big city in the world, there is nest to zero crime on the national mall where this video is being shot. You are clearly uninformed and a negative person.

[@pjaybasmaignee]

@@nonyabuziness5082 no he did not why lie?

[@waedidmyhandlechange]

FINALLY! I had resigned myself to the fact that this series was dead. I'm so glad you continued it.

[@hungrysoles]

A very intelligent and literate look at architectural details in D.C. You should do a video on the Pension Building and the Columbia Historical Society as well as the classic foreign embassies.

[@soledieairvideos5974]

As someone who just moved to DC this is a really great videos and I makes me want to explore even more

[@DaveTexas]

I think I’m in love...😍🥰😍 Nicholas Potts is so good at describing the architecture in a succinct, knowledgeable, technical yet accessible way. I love listening to him talk as well. A great voice. Doesn’t hurt that he’s adorably cute...

[@davidcattin7006]

Retired and moved from DC ten years ago. My walk to work took me straight across the mall, and it was amazing every time! Thanks for the memories!

[@ski5566]

Would love a video like this on DC row-houses.

[@TristouMTL]

Aren't you just brilliant at explaining things, Mr. Potts! Thank you for such a condensed and interesting overview!

[@bluebox2000]

I love his valley/sorority girl uptalk at the end of sentences. So cute!

[@v-boyinla8404]

Loved learning all this. This guy's narrative is A-plus.

[@valarya]

FASCINATING and well done! Please make this a series 🙌

[@Francisays]

I've lived in DC for about 20 plus years. This video is informative and sparks a desire to learn about architecture, which was been a latent interest for some time. I would love to see more in videos that point out certain architecture structure with marked lines and it's terminology, like what you did at time mark 2:42. This really is a good video to rewatch, take notes and go out and explore. Good job. Thanks! :)

[@andrewlee4050]

Very informative, educational, and interesting, More of this please AD, Ty!

[@sallysomers5251]

I could watch this over and over and pick up something new each time. Fascinating and very well done. More like this please!

[@theophaneantipater6333]

History and Architecture = winner combo !

[@kellygilbert-rios6319]

That was a fantastic informative architectural tour. Thank you very much. Excellent!!

[@pjeverly]

These are such good videos. Really enjoy them all. Far more than I would ever have thought. Keep up the great work.

[@ambreeniram2268]

Thank you for sharing. All the buildings are gorgeous. Timeless marvels of architecture with rich heritage and history in every bit.

[@mariadanielathurber9514]

Love this ❤ Thank you for this video

[@mjj7632]

Keep these kind of videos coming, these are the best!

[@strawberriebabieex3]

great job. really enjoyed and a discussion about architecture that should take place more often. thanks for posting it.

[@maurobrunosolavergara5041]

Love every video you made with Nick. I hope you make more in the future!

[@ayaazthaliph2108]

very much enjoyed the architectural elements used through out Washington DC. Informative and AD should make more videos like these.

[@gregcat100]

So informative! I really enjoy these videos! thank you.

[@BillyAlabama]

Wonderful!! The Truman Balcony was actually added before the gutting of the White House. When Margaret’s piano leg fell through the floor engineers were dispatched for a detailed inspection. When they were finished the man reporting to Truman said something to the effect of, “Mr. President. Your balcony is the only part of the house not in immediate a state of immediate collapse.” I’ve always loved this story.

[@tigerhockey7]

This was FANTASTIC

[@dtv2031]

Love this type of video. More please!

[@laverite1050]

The best Architectural digest video. That was my playground growing up. Would have liked him to add about the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington Monument while he was at it.

[@pNo415]

Thank you! Was caught off guard when he left the Mall! But overall fantastic and very well done.

[@infraredthomas]

This was so interesting! I've been to Washington D.C. a couple of times and visited some of the featured buildings. This filled in a lot of gaps of how and why some buildings were designed the way they were.

[@akarayan]

Great video. I.M. Pei’s buildings are a true scar on the face of whatever city is unfortunate enough to house them. Truly sad that building is on our National Mall.

[@rembeadgc]

I appreciate this run-down and elaboration on buildings that I see regularly and enjoy, not just for what they contain but also for their visual presence and what they represent about man and God.

[@LaBucci]

Yes please do more of these!

[@fabianlawstudies9497]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing! 👍🏾

[@mariamcclanahan470]

Really enjoyed this educational and informative video! Thanks

[@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358]

Repent to Jesus Christ “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[@tessat338]

It's that time of year, when the world comes to visit us here in the DCA!!! Spring break in DC to see the cherry blossoms and the flowering trees, while taking the kids to see the national monuments and the museums! My mother, best friend and I recently drove into town from just outside the Beltway to see a play at the National Theater and were parking in the Ronald Reagan office building. Sure enough, we met a family of tourists who were getting together in DC from the North (Ohio) and the South (Florida). They weren't going to see the play, but were just going to walk around the area to see the White House grounds. It was so much fun to see their enthusiasm to visit our beautiful Nation's Capitol. Taking the Metro is a good idea during the day, but I agree with their decision to use a car in the evening when the Metro trains don't run as frequently. If you are planning to drive into the city during the day to see the museums on the Mall, you have a better chance of finding parking in front of the National Gallery of Art. Also, if you are not going to go to the museum first thing in the morning, try around 12 pm, because the people who DID come first thing, often leave at that time and you can grab up their parking spaces.

[@emilyhoward8918]

Wonderful tour!

[@sandraschmied6459]

Wonderful! I love going into the city. Now I will see things with a new perspective. Also, Christmas week is great time to stroll around the mall and go to museums because no one is there!

[@highwayaisle]

Enjoyed this! More of these pls!

[@jamescollins2499]

Hello Colleen , i hope you are having a wonderful day so far ?

[@1rewd133]

I grew up and lived in the DC metro area, and downtown DC was my playground. The city plan, architecture, and landscaping in place was not only beautiful but also a learning experience for this "lay architect", aspects of which I bring to my own one man design firm in a growing rural area. I was so lucky.

[@samanthacbecker95]

love this! would love a video on the historic row homes in the residential very old neighborhoods of DC

[@flatout420]

this architect is awesome how he describe every detail and nuances

[@xxRangerBlue]

Pierre Charles L’Enfant - There is only so much that can be covered in a 15 minute video. I think any mention of the French influence in the architecture of Washington, D.C. should warrant a mention of L”Enfant, commissioned by George Washington to design the new capitol and influenced by the broad avenues of the Paris of his youth. So important was L’Enfant’s contribution that his cenotaph occupies pride of place directly in front of Arlington House affording a view across the Potomac to the city influenced by his design. For the history of the development of the layout of Washington, D.C. see Grand Avenues: The Story of Pierre Charles L'Enfant by Scott W. Berg

[@ipserish]

Loved this! Please do more.

[@boxsterman77]

I had read somewhere that the eschewing of ornamentation for The National Gallery of Art (West Building) was in recognition that, at it's size, had it featured much in the way of relief, pillars, recesses etc., it would have competed with, and perhaps visually surpassed the capitol--which has a smaller, albeit more prominently placed footprint. I think you are revealing an unfortunate trait of some architects where focus in exclusively paid to the building as a singular expression without regard to its neighbors and context. But Pope and Pei were quite mindful of the placement of their buildings. Across the Avenue, you will notice that the Candandian Embassy does a find job of taking cues from both the West and East Buildings and combing the respective themeless masterfully. Buildings that disregard context and placement are arrogant buildings--and, yes, sometimes that is the point.

[@tmp1111]

Really nice topic. DC has a lot of interesting little layout tidbits. All the traffic circles in DC were planned to confuse the enemy.

[@MrOu83]

tee- They (traffic circles) were not planned to confuse enemies, invaders. That’s just a myth that has been spread for ages now.

[@kethsharakhlok1976]

A good educational touring info. accompanied by excellent view of each building's grand image. Many foreign visitors like seeing most buildings in DC as they remind them of similar ones in Paris. ✌️🕊️

[@tyronie]

I love this series

[@jelsner5077]

Lovely presentation.

[@LEGACYFOCUS]

Executive building is super gorgeous ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤...the design is perfection

[@jakebe4915]

This was stunning. Educational..historical.. Bravo.. Keep it up. Do New Orleans or San Francisco next.

[@heyyyitshewan4816]

so good!!

[@FalconsEye58094]

nothing has this level of detail anymore

[@stevemiller7949]

Love this. So so good.🙂🙂🙃❤️

[@NinjaBooKitty]

Oh how I miss DC so much! This was amazing! :)

[@alastairdallas]

Wow. This man pairs a lot of history knowledge with a deep understanding of the purposes and motivations of architecture. I know a compact, well-shot and edited video doesn't just happen, either. I will look for the other videos in this series. A+ (which could be a name for the series, but I just copyrighted it. 🙂)

[@tataarchitect3493]

The architect kinda looks like Anthony Bridgerton. I really love this video content, hope AD will do more of it.

[@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358]

Repent to Jesus Christ “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[@ieceineint452]

@@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358 so tru

[@Shivdotb]

Just wanna say I lovoooee these videos

[@javierpacheco8234]

I love classical architecture or america's architecture. I hope in the future i design one when i become an architect.

[@VETERANSHERMANANDMAXINHAWAII]

VERY NICE VIDEO, VERY INFORMATIVE, THANKS YOU.

[@NoneFB]

Hi. Nice going on this! Plan on doing part II: covering the other buildings. Natural History, Archives, Native Americans, Air and Space, the new African Americans Museum. Jefferson, FDR, Lincoln, WW II, Viet Nam. Engraving, Holocaust, Washington Monument. Treasury, Red Cross, OAR. Federal Reserve, Interior. You offer much insight. Keep it going!

[@CD318]

Nick Potts ROCKS!

[@jplourde11]

More Nick Potts!!!!!!!!

[@derrikcupps]

Love this video

[@AndrewNation13]

This guy is an awesome host to what is probably the most celebrated location on earth and all its architectural keys and intricacies . Thank-you sooo much my dude, Sigma 4 Life 😌

[@cestusfr]

Even though different in style the Smithsonian reminds me of Schloss Drachenburg PS best video so far and i subbed years ago! please do more videos about architecture!

[@JWinslow11]

Fantastic!

[@muahlakaparak]

very interesting house design..nice video

[@ElliottLaw]

Thank you.

[@havingfun3619]

Very cool. Although I've seen them all, the history you brought to the architecture is very important.

[@Azrael8]

You missed out on the National Archives and Navy Plaza. That's a really pretty area from an architectural standpoint.

[@thomasbowers1210]

I hope we can get a video of the rest of Washington DC because I would love to hear about the details on the post office building!

[@lmgtulsa]

This was an absolutely cool vid. Thanks for making it.

[@emmawilliams2178]

more DC content please!!!

[@Allison.Marshall]

Would love to see the reasoning behind the Hirshorn Museum on the National Mall. I always thought it was a bit of an eyesore when compared to it's neighbors.

[@lukedixon4832]

Now THIS is good content

[@DavidSmith-fv1jf]

wonderful

[@carolinejohnson22]

Really good...

[@NicksDynasty]

Beautiful city

[@holabrand6599]

I love this 🥰🥰🥰

[@TheNoerdy]

Please do one for NYC!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Very nice...

[@Allaiya.]

I love the neo-classical style.

[@mellonmarshall]

this is col, but can I ask what is with the orange people that all out and about in the Smithsonian, please

[@LeetMath]

the executive building is crazy to look at, it seems really extreme with use of columns

[@Michaelengelmann]

We have similar brick townhomes in Old City, Philadelphia. The first US capital. Wonder how Philly would look if it was always the capital or it moved then came back

[@thequietstag4366]

Okay, 9:05. What's with the orange statues?

[@ginaroussos]

Thank you!! I’ve been reading thru all these comments like why has no one mentioned the weird orange statues that are in front of multiple buildings?? I was hoping someone knew what it was lol. I’m guessing it was some kind of art installation? If you find out plz let us know

[@ElarBela]

Nicholas Potts, Sir, where is the renaissance with zet/zi pronunciation from?

[@laurenm3148]

Absolutely wild to be on the Mall and not at least go over the more diverse museums and the widespread Brutalism. Some missed opportunities here for expanding on more than just Greco-Roman and Neoclassicism.

[@dr.jorgerice6881]

I wish the Library of Congress was included. Great video though!

[@jonrichcorpuz2380]

wish i saw you here! i live 35 min from here

[@brethrentoall4769]

🔥🔥🔥

[@handballtrick]

Go to some iconic factories AD.

[@artiemicheline816]

Can you do the Willard hotel in dc

[@Lychiis]

wow!! Early!

[@marinedrive5484]

I had no idea that The National Mall is so eclectic - I've only visited it once many years ago, on my first trip overseas from NZ. Each of the buildings is very interesting in its own right. However, I can't help but think that it would have been better - from a purely aesthetic point of view - to have continued to build in the neoclassical style; paying homage to the original Georgian buildings. It's not necessarily a hodgepodge, but it could have been better coordinated. Well done AD for producing these informative videos.

[@selrahcf]

More of this! Less of the Kardashian crap.

[@FullOfMalarky]

11:11 meanwhile in Canada… the national art gallery is a glass building.

[@HavNCDy]

If they only met somewhere in the middle 😂