Eye of the Beholder

The American Institute of Architects as part of its 150th anniversary recently released a list of what they felt were the best 150 works of American architecture. The Library?s Thomas Jefferson Building was ranked 28th, just behind Monticello and just ahead of Frank Lloyd Wright?s Fallingwater.

Far be it for this journalism major to second-guess that ranking, but I do consider myself quite lucky that I can see No. 28 out my office window. (That?s my view on the left ? click to enlarge.)

Now the AIA has put its list to a vote of the people. For whatever reason, as of this writing, the aforementioned Fallingwater is in first place with 410 votes, with the TJB is somewhere down the list with 50 votes. (It isn?t easy to discern the ranking beyond the top five.)

I will refrain from too much editorializing here, but it is odd that the U.S. Capitol (partially visible from my window if I lean far to the right) is even lower, with only 40 votes ? despite being ranked No. 6 by the AIA experts.