A neoclassical fortress with a glass-sky living room—Washington’s best architectural plot twist is in the courtyard.
Art museum in Washington, D.C., a division of the Smithsonian Institution.
Featured in Foster + Partners's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.
Visitor Guide
Go straight to the Kogod Courtyard first and look up—then circle the perimeter to see how the roof sits lightly on heavy historic walls.
Inside the Kogod Courtyard from the centerline, shooting upward; late afternoon for softer reflections and fewer blown highlights.
You can go inside; admission is free (Smithsonian). Open daily during posted hours; expect security screening. The courtyard is part of the visit and doesn’t require a separate ticket.
That glass canopy isn’t a dome for drama—it’s a weather-making device that turns an outdoor void into DC’s most civilized interior public room.
1–2 hours
Design & Structure
Historic building adaptation with a contemporary glazed roof structure spanning the courtyard. Digital structural coordination was crucial to land the roof on existing fabric with minimal visual weight and controlled drainage/expansion.
Glass and steel canopy over historic masonry—old mass + new lightness, the classic Foster move, but executed as a public interior climate.
Long-span glazed roof engineered for deflection control, waterproofing, and thermal movement, all while touching a landmark building as delicately as possible.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with National Portrait Gallery (United States) — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Foster + Partners
View all →
University of Turin
University of Toronto
Copenhagen Zoo
Lürssen
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Stanford University
Nearby in Washington, D.C.
United States Institute of Peace
United States Institute of Peace Headquarters
CityCenterDC
Old Patent Office Building
1900 K Street
The Investment Building
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed National Portrait Gallery (United States)?+
National Portrait Gallery (United States) was designed by Foster + Partners and completed in 1962. It is located in Washington, D.C., United States.
Where is National Portrait Gallery (United States) located?+
National Portrait Gallery (United States) is located in Washington, D.C., United States. Its coordinates are 38.8978°, -77.0231°.
When was National Portrait Gallery (United States) built?+
National Portrait Gallery (United States) was completed in 1962. It was designed by Foster + Partners.
Can I visit National Portrait Gallery (United States)?+
National Portrait Gallery (United States) is a real building in Washington, D.C. that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.