Architecture Month is a citywide celebration of the buildings and spaces that shape our city, the creative minds who bring them to life, and the intriguing stories they tell.
April is officially Architecture Month! This year's theme, "Architecture as a Tool of Change" explores how architectural practice and the built environment can both constrain and liberate, from professional barriers to various groups to the design of everyday structures.
To celebrate this month, we are highlighting events happening all across the city—from the District Architecture Center to one of our many partner organizations and exclusive access to sites all around the city.
Celebrations and Exhibitions
Architecture Month Opening Party at President Lincoln’s Cottage - April 1, 6-8 pm
Objects of Abolition - On view until May 7, 2026
Ahead of the Curve - On view until May 21, 2026
Brick City at the National Building Museum - On view through August 2026
A SOUTH FORTY: Contemporary Architecture and Design in the American South at the National Building Museum - On view until Winter 2026
Coming Together: Reimagining America’s Downtowns at the National Building Museum - On view until Fall 2026
The Tuskegee Chapel: Paul Rudolph x Fry & Welch at the National Building Museum - On view until January 2027
A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America at the National Building Museum - On view until January 2027
Designing the Future at AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design - On view through December 2026
Lectures, Talks, and Films
Future Friday: Los Angeles at the National Building Museum - April 3, 12-1 pm
Rehab City Seminar and Discussion - April 15, 6-8 pm
2026 Lautman Lecture (Coming Soon) - TBD
People-Centered Architecture Lecture (Coming Soon) - April 29, 6-8 pm
Youth Events
Architecture Week 2026 Virtual read-alouds by National AIA - April 13-17
Lego Challenge! at Georgetown Neighborhood Library - Tuesdays, 3:30-5 pm
LEGO Social at Takoma Park Library - Wednesdays, 3:30-5 pm
LEGO at the Library at Northeast Neighborhood Library - Wednesdays, 4-4:50 pm
Storytime at the National Building Museum - Thursdays, 10:30-11:15 am
Let's Build! at Capitol View Neighborhood Library - Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm
STEAM Saturday at the National Building Museum - April 11, 1-3 pm
Teens Design for Tomorrow 2026 - April 17-18
Cleaveland Park Children's Walking Tour (Coming Soon) - April 19, 1:30 pm
LEGO GeoSMART Club: Kids/Tweens at Southwest Neighborhood Library - April 22, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Tours
Guided Tour of the Octagon Museum - Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am-4 pm (last entry at 3 pm), tours at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
National Archives Museum: Art and Architecture Tour - Mondays-Fridays, 2-2:30 pm
Guided Tour of the National Academy of Sciences Building by National Academy of Sciences - April 1, 3, and 17, 2-3 pm
DC Design Tours - April 3
- Tidal Basin: Beyond the Blossoms, 7 pm
Library of Congress Guided Tour with Walking Tour from Union Station by International Club of DC Cultural Events - April 4, 1:15-3 pm
DC Design Tours - April 4
- Tidal Basin: Beyond the Blossoms, 10 am
- Dupont Circle & Embassy Row, 11 am
- U Street Corridor, 2 pm
- Cleveland Park in Bloom, 4 pm
- National Mall, 7:30 pm
DC Design Tours - April 5
- Georgetown, 10 am
- 16th Street & Adams Morgan, 2 pm
- Cleveland Park in Bloom, 4 pm
DC Design Tours - April 6
- Rock Creek Park, 10 am
Building of the Day Tour: Shaw 1000 - April 9, 5-6 pm
Building of the Day Tour: Momentous Sports Medicine - April 10, 6-7 pm
Building of the Day Tour: Leckie Educational Campus Addition - April 11, 10-11:30 am
DC Design Tours - April 12
- Georgetown, 10 am
- 16th Street & Adams Morgan, 2 pm
Building of the Day Tour: 1200 19th Street - Rooftop Amenity Expansion - April 16, 5-6:30 pm
Building of the Day Tour: River Park Mutual Homes - April 17, 3-4 pm
DC Design Tours - April 18
- Dupont Circle & Embassy Row, 11 am
- U Street Corridor, 2 pm
- National Mall, 7:30 pm
DC Design Tours - April 19
- Georgetown, 10 am
- Cleveland Park, 2 pm
Building of the Day Tour: Private Artist's Studio - April 23, 5:30-6:30 pm
Building of the Day Tour: The Parks at Walter Reed - April 24, 3-4:30 pm
DC Design Tours - April 25
- Dupont Circle & Embassy Row, 10 am
- Capitol Hill, 1 pm
- Southwest, 4 pm
- Design on the Water: Washington DC Architecture Cruise, 6 pm
DC Design Tours - April 26
- Georgetown, 10 am
- Rock Creek Park, 1 pm
- 16th Street & Adams Morgan, 2 pm