Editing Washington Metro (section)

== Architecture ==
Many Metro stations were designed by Chicago architect [[Harry Weese]] and are examples of late 20th century [[modern architecture]]. With their heavy use of exposed concrete and repetitive design motifs, Metro stations display aspects of [[Brutalist architecture|Brutalist]] design. The stations also reflect the influence of Washington's [[neoclassical architecture]] in their overarching [[coffer]]ed ceiling [[Vault (architecture)|vaults]]. Weese worked with [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]-based lighting designer Bill Lam on the indirect lighting used throughout the system.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/05/04/william_lam_dies_pioneered_field_of_architectural_lighting_design/ |title=William Lam, 87; architect made lighting part of design |newspaper=Boston.com |date=May 4, 2012 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194957/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/05/04/william_lam_dies_pioneered_field_of_architectural_lighting_design/ |url-status=live |last1=Marquard |first1=Bryan }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lam |first=Willian |date=1977 |title=Perception and Lighting as Formgivers for Architecture |url=http://www.wmclam.com/index.php/publications |location=New York |publisher=McGraw Hill |page=293 |isbn=0-07-036094-4 |access-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331074612/http://www.wmclam.com/index.php/publications |url-status=live }}</ref> All of Metro's original Brutalist stations are found in [[Downtown (Washington, D.C.)|Downtown Washington, D.C.]], and neighboring urban corridors of [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington, Virginia]], while newer stations incorporate simplified cost-efficient designs.<ref name="11types">{{cite web |url=http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/24359/metro-has-eleven-types-of-station-architecture-learn-them-all-with-this-one-interactive-map/ |title=Metro has eleven types of station architecture. Learn them all with this one interactive map. |publisher=Greater Greater Washington |access-date=November 2, 2014 |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111011350/http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/24359/metro-has-eleven-types-of-station-architecture-learn-them-all-with-this-one-interactive-map/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, the design of the Metro's vaulted-ceiling stations was voted number 106 on the "[[America's Favorite Architecture]]" list compiled by the [[American Institute of Architects]] (AIA), and was the only Brutalist design to win a place among the 150 selected by this public survey.<ref>{{cite web|website=American Institute of Architects | url=http://favoritearchitecture.org/|title=FavoriteArchitecture.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304063617/http://favoritearchitecture.org/ |archive-date=March 4, 2012 }}</ref>

In January 2014, the AIA announced that it would present its [[Twenty-five Year Award]] to the Washington Metro system for "an architectural design of enduring significance" that "has stood the test of time by embodying architectural excellence for 25 to 35 years". The announcement cited the key role of Weese, who conceived and implemented a "common design kit-of-parts", which continues to guide the construction of new Metro stations over a quarter-century later, albeit with designs modified slightly for cost reasons.<ref name="AIA25">{{cite web |last=Mortice |first=Zach |title=2014 Twenty-five Year Award |url=http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2014/twenty-five-year-award/ |work=American Institute of Architects |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419231746/http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2014/twenty-five-year-award/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beginning in 2003, canopies were added to existing exits of underground stations due to the wear and tear seen on escalators due to exposure to the elements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Dupont-canopy-announcement.cfm|title=Metro to begin escalator canopy installation at Dupont Circle Station's north entrance this spring {{!}} WMATA|website=www.wmata.com|access-date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327160127/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Dupont-canopy-announcement.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed">
File:WMATA Metro Center crossvault 2009.jpg|Intersection of [[coffer]]ed concrete [[Vault (architecture)|ceiling vaults]] at {{wmata|Metro Center}} (opened 1976), a major transfer station
File:Dikaiosp 191216 1813.jpg|[[Gallery Place station|Gallery Place]] (opened 1976)
File:12-07-12-wikimania-wdc-by-RalfR-010.jpg|A train departs from [[McPherson Square station|McPherson Square]] (opened 1977), which has an original ceiling vault design.
File:Van Ness – UDC Washington Metro.JPG|[[Van Ness–UDC station|Van Ness–UDC]] (opened 1981) shows a modified ceiling vault.
File:Twinbrook.jpg|[[Twinbrook station|Twinbrook]] (opened 1984) is a typical original above-ground station.
File:WMATA King Street Station 2019.jpg|[[King Street–Old Town station|King Street–Old Town]] (opened 1983) shows a modified elevated station design, used in historic [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]], as it was less intrusive.
File:Wiehle-Reston Metro platform 1.jpg|The most recent elevated station design, seen at [[Wiehle–Reston East station|Wiehle–Reston East]], which opened in 2014, mirrors the design of the original underground stations.
File:Spring Hill Metro platform 2.jpg|{{wmata|Spring Hill}} (opened 2014) shows a modified version of the newest design, used on some elevated stations due to its cost savings.
File:L'Enfant Plaza (WMATA station).JPG|The over-entrance canopy to {{wmata|L'Enfant Plaza}} (opened 1977) echoes the arched ceiling underground.
</gallery>