The Conduit- Mark Maves

“It feels safe to assume that most readers of The Conduit have visited the National Building Museum, or at least have driven past the striking, block-long building between 4th and 5th and F and G Streets NW. Maybe you have stopped in on a jury duty break to visit one of the best gift shops in the city. Whatever your connection to this local treasure, now you have a new one. Our neighbor and 30-year Palisades resident Mark Maves is the architect we have to thank for leading the incredible team that transformed the Pension Building into its current incarnation as a fascinating museum about the built environment. “

—Susan Messina (The Conduit)

Photos by Bob Burnett except where noted.

A red brick building with large arched windows, tall trees with green leaves in front, and a clear blue sky in the background.

Interior of a grand building with large marble columns, multiple floors with arches and railings, and natural light coming through numerous upper windows. A man with gray hair, glasses, and a black vest is leaning on a ledge, looking downward.

An older man with gray hair and a beard standing in a building with arched windows and bookshelves, looking toward the camera.

Interior of a grand historic building with large columns, multiple levels of arched windows, and a central fountain with water spray. People are sitting on the floor near the fountain, and some are walking around.

Water fountain with water splashing upward, located indoors with decorative columns and arches.

Interior view of a grand building with tall marble columns, multiple floors with archways, and a high ceiling with large windows allowing natural light.

Interior view of a large, historic building with tall marble columns, arched windows, and multiple floors with balconies. A man with gray hair and a checkered shirt is standing and looking at the architecture.

Interior of a grand historic building with large marble columns supporting a high, arched ceiling with numerous windows, railings, and lighting.

An elderly man with gray hair and beard standing at a counter in a building with large decorative columns, looking at his phone.

Close-up of an elderly person with gray hair and a checkered blazer taking a photo inside a building with a smartphone.

Older man with white hair and a beard standing inside a large building with tall windows and wooden shelves.

Interior of a large, ornate building with tall marble columns, large arched windows, and a high, vaulted ceiling with visible industrial piping and lighting. There is a balcony or mezzanine level with railings and a large open space beneath.

Interior of a building with large marble columns, arched windows, and decorative arches, possibly a historical or government building, with scaffolding and lighting fixtures visible.

Water splashing or dripping from a building or structure inside a large industrial-style space with high ceilings and large windows.

The image shows the upper part of a historic brick building with classical architectural details, large arched windows, and a glass enclosed rooftop area. In the foreground, there are lush green trees, and the sky in the background is clear and blue.

Red brick historic building with ornate architectural details, archways, and statues, surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky with sunlight

Stone relief sculpture of historical figures on a building, partially obscured by green leaves, with brick and window in background.

Close-up of beige stone sculptures depicting historical figures on a building's exterior wall, partially obscured by green foliage.

Close-up view of a stone relief sculpture depicting soldiers with military gear, partially obscured by green leaves in the foreground.

An elderly man with white hair and beard taking a photo of trees outside a brick building with large windows, a decorative frieze, and a painted sign in front of the building.

The image shows a historic brick building with multiple windows and decorative architectural details, situated behind a row of green trees. In front of the building, there are parked cars, a crosswalk, and a few people walking or standing on the sidewalk under a clear blue sky.

Row of trees with twisted branches and green leaves lining a sidewalk near brick buildings in an urban area.

Older man with gray hair and beard standing next to a large white sign with red text outside a red brick building.

A large brick building with arched windows, seen through green tree leaves and branches, under a clear blue sky.

An older man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a checkered shirt and a dark vest, stands inside a building with large windows and grand architectural features.