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The Octagon

As a museum and exhibit space, the oldest private residence in DC now hosts programs demonstrating the cultural and societal impact of architects and architecture.
From our historic headquarters, The Octagon, the Architects Foundation inspires and invests in the next generation of design leaders and their communities. We achieve this through scholarship programs for architects at all career stages, and Communities by Design, which pairs volunteer architect teams with local communities to address critical issues like equitable housing and climate resilience. At The Octagon, we use exhibitions, events, and educational programs to engage in dialogues on historic preservation, contemporary art and design trends, cultural issues, and more.
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History

Its story is quintessentially American, one that demonstrates toil and triumph. It is a fitting space today to ask ourselves hard questions about American life in the future and consider how architects can impact the answers. Whose traditionally untold stories should be lifted? How do we build safe communities? How can we champion sustainable building practices? These are just some of the questions The Octagon begs us to answer.

History

Its story is quintessentially American, one that demonstrates toil and triumph. It is a fitting space today to ask ourselves hard questions about American life in the future and consider how architects can impact the answers. Whose traditionally untold stories should be lifted? How do we build safe communities? How can we champion sustainable building practices? These are just some of the questions The Octagon begs us to answer.

1799

Designed by Dr. William Thorton, first Architect of the Capitol.

Designed by Dr. William Thornton, first Architect of the Capitol.

Home of the prominent Tayloe family, social center of its day.

1814

President Madison signs Treaty of Ghent while the Octagon served as the temporary White House after the burning of Washington. (Reenactment, Feb. 2015)

The Octagon’s use transforms with its neighborhood, serving as a Catholic girls’ school and later as federal government office space and tenement housing.

1898

AIA begins the restoration and transformation of The Octagon into its national headquarters.

Restoration of this magnificent example of early 19th-century architecture is one of the country’s earliest restoration projects.

1960

Octagon declared a National Historic Landmark.

Octagon is open to the public as a museum.

2009

The Architects Foundation acquires the Octagon.

The house museum offers tours, exhibitions and public programming.

2024

The Architects Foundation reimagines The Octagon as a home for great design and great designers, with a collaboration with Heller Furniture that launches during the 2024 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design.

2025

The AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design will open in 2025. For the first time, AIA headquarters and the historic Octagon will be one property and create a more welcoming street presence for the community.

Visit the Octagon

Check out our opening hours, ticketing options, and current exhibitions.

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Events & Exhibitions

Join us at The Octagon for our current exhibits and special events.

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The Octagon Archive

Explore The Octagon resources and other historical documentation we've gathered in our historic home.

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Rent The Octagon

Host your next event at our National Historic Landmark building.

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