Yesterday we participated in the WABA and Embassy of Sweden sponsored Vasa ride , which kicked off at the embassy in Georgetown. We opted for the leisurely Kort Vasa at 14 miles, a trip that took us through all four quadrants of the District. For the more adventurous (and well-trained), there were the 56-mile Vasa and the 28-mile Halv Vasa. Honestly though, we were sold upon the promise of hot blueberry soup at the completion of the ride — and it was well worth it. Click for more pics of the event.

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Piles of donations turned up over the weekend at the Haitian Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue in DC. Matt rode his bicycle over there to drop off the toiletries and clothing we were able to round up from our apartment. (I don’t believe they are still accepting donations into the week other than money).

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Merriam Webster defines Neutral as:

1: not engaged on either side; specifically : not aligned with a political or ideological grouping

2: of or relating to a neutral state or power

3 not decided or pronounced as to characteristics

4: produced with the tongue in the position it has when at rest

While I don’t know that these definitions apply to the Swiss Embassy Residence in NW DC, the designers responsible for this elegant structure most certainly managed to make a dynamic composition using neutral colors and basic forms. Designed by Steven Holl Architects and completed in 2006 the Swiss Embassy Residence takes on the iconic form of the Swiss Cross and sets up dramatic view from its back patio down to the Washington Monument.

The primary elements of the buildings are rough formed charcoal colored concrete walls, structural frosted channeled glass, and more traditional clear glazed windows. The materiality was chosen to evoke images of the dark stones and and frosted tips of the Swiss Alps. Unfortunately I can not speak from experience to opine if this was successfully done but the whole structure did feel vaguely alpine.

I attended a garden party tonight here for the American Institute of Architects DC awards ceremony. My time at the Residence ended before nightfall but as I understand it the character of the building changes dramatically at night when the openings behind the frosted glass walls begins to glow and the massive, dark concrete walls fall out of site. The Residence can’t be more than a mile from my apartment so I think I’ll make it a point to swing by an try to get a glimpse one evening.

The Swiss Embassy Residence is located on Cathedral Ave NW between Conneticut Ave and Wisconsin Ave. It is easily visible from the street and worth a look if you are in the area.

Here are my other shots from the event.

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