“Food has to be both beautiful and delicious. Buildings must feel good, which is as significant as how they look,” said Stanley Saitowitz, principal of Natoma Architects Inc., in an interview prior to his lecture at the National Building Museum in the summer of 2003. The Museum is widely known, of course, for being beautiful. Its grand exterior is modeled after the elegant Palazzo Farnese in Rome, and its famous Great Hall is one of the most majestic interior spaces in the country, spanning more than 300 feet and punctuated by awe-inspiring, 75-foot-tall columns. But, as Saitowitz said, looks alone are not enough. That’s why the Museum strives to ensure that every visitor has a pleasant and memorable experience here, through engaging exhibitions, stimulating education programs, festive family-oriented events, and a helpful crew of staff and volunteers who ensure a comfortable atmosphere.

In fiscal year 2003, more than 320,000 people walked through the Museum’s doors to get a taste of our built world and to get to know the chefs — architects, engineers, contractors, planners, and others — who make it possible. The Museum presented ten new exhibitions during the year, giving visitors a variety of ideas to sample. The Museum also gave visitors some major issues to chew on — exhibitions like Big & Green and Me, Myself & Infrastructure posed important questions about sustainability in design and how our lifestyles are supported by a complex infrastructure.

The lecture series Big & Green, held in conjunction with the exhibition, gave attendees more food for thought. Malaysian architect Kenneth Yeang and architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, among others, spoke about their work and the responsibility they are taking in creating environmentally-friendly places. Other lecture programs, including a panel discussion with I.M. Pei and Leslie Robertson, appealed to diverse audiences. Family festivals drew the biggest crowds — in fact, the 2003 Festival of the Building Arts broke the record for the largest attendance at a single Museum event. Nearly 6,000 children and adults participated in free demonstrations and hands-on activities.

The many people who participate in the Museum’s activities and programs prove that there is a healthy appetite for the Museum’s offerings. Without our supporters who allow us to provide so much to ever-growing crowds, the menu of exhibitions and programs would not be as full nor complete as it is. Contributed income and services accounted for well over half of the Museum’s total income of around $8 million. The Museum’s Board of Trustees and staff thank all of those who generously gave to the Museum in fiscal year 2003 and provided us with the resources necessary to meet to our audience’s expectations.

In the future, we anticipate that many more visitors will come to the National Building Museum, not only to experience the distinctive and beautiful structure we are proud to call home, but also to partake in substantial dialogues about our built environment, and the values it represents. The tremendous support we’ve enjoyed in the past, along with our hopes for the future, leave us feeling both optimistic and eager for new challenges. As you read about the Museum’s accomplishments in 2003, and imagine what lies ahead for 2004 and beyond, we hope you will feel the same.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Schwenker Brody
Chair

Chase W. Rynd
Executive Director