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Virginia Tech

Meridian International Contemporary Culture Center Proposed Addition to Meridian International Center

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Located just off of Sixteenth Street NW in Washington, D.C., the Meridian International Center complex sits on an elevated, crescent-shaped swath of land opposite Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. On the site are two neoclassical residences, both designed by John Russel Pope in the early 20th century. Initially designed as diplomatic residences, when Meridian International Center purchased the site in 1960, the houses were converted into facilities for the organization. Today, having recently undergone extensive renovations the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Meridian International Center is devoted to the exchange of people, ideas, and art. The organization aims to promote international understanding through diplomatic exchanges, arts programs, lecture series, and educational programs. The majority of operations is devoted to the International Visitors Program, however in recent years, the organization has expressed a desire to expand their other programs, specifically the Arts & Culture and World Affairs divisions. A primary intention of Meridian International Center is to open its doors to the city, to invite and engage the public in international matters through a variety of expositions. Currently lacking sufficient space to accommodate such programs, this thesis proposes a new facility for Meridian International Center's building complex. This facility is to function as a Contemporary Culture Center. With the intention of opening the institution to the public, both literally and figuratively, the building is to act as a beacon in the city for the sharing and mixing of cultures.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Architecture
Department dc:contributor.department
Architecture
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2008

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Waites, Elizabeth Anne
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Piedmont-Palladino, Susan C.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Emmons, Paul F.
  • Feuerstein, Marcia F.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-05272008-182832
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/33293

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Waites, Elizabeth Anne. Meridian International Contemporary Culture Center Proposed Addition to Meridian International Center. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/33293