Visitors to Washington DC who use the city’s mostly-underground mass transit system are in for a treat. The DC Metro system isn’t just another subway. The DC Metro’s architecture is one of the most stunning examples of brutalist design in the United States.
I grew up riding the DC Metro trains, and spent countless hours in the tunnels. So, this will be a rare post I write in first person to share my own experiences. But first, let’s discuss the history of the DC Metro station.
From Freeways to Rail: How the DC Metro Came to Be
Originally, there were plans to build a freeway system through Washington DC during the 1950s. People living in the area didn’t want freeways running through the nation’s capital, however, so they protested. As a result, the original freeway plan was ditched. The new plan gave us the DC Metro system along with the Capital Beltway, the interstate that encloses the city.
The National Capital Transportation Agency was created in 1960 to oversee the system. Another bill in 1966 created the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Construction began in 1969, and the system opened in 1976, making this year (2026) the DC Metro’s 50th anniversary — a milestone worth celebrating for architecture lovers and transit riders alike.
Harry Weese’s Vision: Where Brutalism Meets the Roman Pantheon
The DC Metro stations were originally envisioned as well-lit spaces with flat ceilings. But the modernist grandeur of Dulles International Airport ended up inspiring a brutalist design for the DC Metro tunnels instead. While more than one architect worked on the stations over the years, architect Harry Weese designed some of the first ones.
The stations are actually a perfect bridge between brutalist and neoclassical architecture. The Roman Pantheon’s rotunda inspired the coffered ceiling vaults. Bill Lam designed the original indirect lighting.
Lights, Shadows, and the Magic of the Coffered Vaults
The lights run along the trackside, casting a soft glow upwards. Back when I was riding the DC Metro system, they provided ample illumination, but in a way that was never harsh or glaring. Yet they cast deep shadows, emphasizing the “waffle” contours of the vaults, giving them a stunning, almost theatrical effect.
I’ll always remember the first time I took a ride on the DC Metro when I was a kid. I didn’t know anything about brutalist architecture at the time, so to me, the tunnels had a futuristic look and feel. They seemed both heavy and spacious, firing up my imagination and making the whole trip feel magical.
That effect wore off as I grew up and ended up commuting hours a day in the tunnels. But after moving away, I look back fondly at those tunnels, and wish that during my long and rather fatiguing commutes, I had spent more time appreciating how special they were.
What’s Changed — and What’s Been Lost
Since I left the DC area, I’ve been surprised to learn about some of the changes. For example, WMATA thought the lights had gotten too dim, so they replaced them with globe lights that were bright and harsh. It ruined the ambiance, so they brought in designer Claude Engle Jr. in 2020 to replace them yet again. The current lights are LEDs, partially concealed. They are bright, but indirect and not glaring.
There was also the white paint incident in 2017. The Union Station stop manager for some reason thought he should coat the concrete walls with white paint. This is tragic, as paint can’t just be stripped from concrete to restore the original surface.
Additionally, the DC Metro fell into disrepair for years due to poor funding, though it has been revitalized since the Back2Good program launched in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions About DC Metro Architecture
What architectural style are the DC Metro stations? The DC Metro stations are a landmark example of brutalist architecture, distinguished by their dramatic coffered concrete vaults. The design also draws on neoclassical influences, particularly the Roman Pantheon, making the stations a unique bridge between two architectural traditions.
Who designed the DC Metro stations? Architect Harry Weese is the most celebrated designer associated with the DC Metro station architecture, responsible for many of the earliest and most iconic stations. Lighting designer Bill Lam created the original indirect lighting system that gave the tunnels their distinctive atmosphere.
When did the DC Metro open? The DC Metro system opened in 1976, making 2026 its 50th anniversary. Construction began in 1969, following the creation of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in 1966.
Are the DC Metro stations worth visiting for architecture lovers? Absolutely. The DC Metro stations are considered among the most architecturally significant transit systems in the world. Even if you have no plans to travel across the city, riding the Metro specifically to experience the stations is worthwhile.
What happened to the original DC Metro lighting? The original indirect lighting designed by Bill Lam was replaced over the years. Most recently, designer Claude Engle Jr. oversaw a 2020 update that introduced partially concealed LED lights, restoring much of the indirect, atmospheric glow the stations were originally known for.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like The Robert C. Weaver Federal Building: Letting in the Light and Hotel Marcel: From Brutalist Offices to Net-Zero Hotel.
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