James V. Forrestal Building

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The James V. Forrestal Building is a prominent federal office complex in Washington, D.C., known for its Brutalist architecture and its role as the central hub for U.S. energy policy and administration.


Statements (43)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Brutalist building
federal office building
government building
architecturalStyle Brutalism
category Brutalist architecture in Washington, D.C.
Federal office buildings in Washington, D.C.
United States Department of Energy buildings
considered a major example of federal Brutalist architecture in Washington, D.C.
constructionStart 1960s
country United States
criticizedFor austere Brutalist appearance
disrupting the 10th Street corridor to the National Mall
crosses 10th Street SW
function federal office complex
headquarters building
hasDesignFeature bridge-like span over 10th Street SW
large, blocky concrete masses
repetitive window bays
hasEnergyRole administrative center for national energy programs
policy center for U.S. energy security and research administration
houses offices of senior Department of Energy officials
offices of the United States Secretary of Energy
inUseSince late 1960s
locatedBetween 9th Street SW and 10th Street SW
locatedIn Downtown Washington, D.C.
locatedOn Independence Avenue SW
location Washington, D.C.
managedBy U.S. General Services Administration
materialUsed reinforced concrete
namedAfter James V. Forrestal
namedForOccupation first United States Secretary of Defense
namedForOfficeholder James V. Forrestal, first U.S. Secretary of Defense
near L’Enfant Plaza Metro station
National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian museums on the National Mall
occupies a superblock between 9th and 10th Streets SW
ownedBy United States federal government
partOf L’Enfant Plaza area
primaryOccupant United States Department of Energy
role central hub for U.S. energy policy and administration
securityLevel federal office security standards
subjectOf urban design debates in Washington, D.C.
usedBy federal civil service employees


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