Share this on

D.C. Museum to Hold Green Building Event

Organized family activities include laying brick, thatching a roof, wood working, and stone carving.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 7/26/2006 12:00:00 AM

This fall, the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., will premier an annual one-day free festival, in conjunction with the exhibit “The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design,” on view through June 3, 2007. This year, Festival of the Building Arts will be dedicated to unveiling the most current building techniques employed by architects, designers, and engineers to help conserve the Earth’s resources.

Atleast 25 master craftspeople—woodworkers, stone carvers, art glass designers, and others—will participate in the event. Attendees will explore alternative building materials such as cob, straw bale, and clay plaster; construct an energy efficient model house or “green” roof to take home; help assemble a sculpture made from plumbing pipes; and see how designers and architects use sustainable materials in their work. Organized activities, such as laying brick, thatching a roof, wood working, stone carving, or a nail driving contest, include the entire family.

Experts will also be on hand to offer advice for home-improvement projects, in addition to participating in hands-on activities.

Presented by The Associated General Contractors of America, the event will be held from 10am-4:30pm. The museum suggests a $5 donation. No reservations are necessary for individuals. Large groups should call 202-272-2448 or email scout@nbm.org to register.

The National Building Museum is located at 401 F Street NW. More information is available online.