[A Different Light, title bar.]
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[The Old Patent Office Building has a presence that resembles a cathedral more than an office space. Vast galleries are graced with marble columns. Windows illuminate high, vaulted ceilings in the offices of the lower floors. Praised by the poet Walt Whitman as Òthe noblest of Washington buildings,Ó this public space is distinguished by the combination of light and architecture on a grand scale.] [photo: The Lincoln Gallery, Third floor, East Wing.]
[text: The Lincoln Gallery, Third floor, East Wing.]
[text: Natural light plays a dominant role in the interior design of this space. Artificial interior lighting systems were not available when architect Robert Mills began constructing the South Wing. The aggressive use of windows and skylights is founded not only on aesthetics but also on function.From a visual perspective, this renovation involves the stripping away of temporary additions, revealing much of the original architecture. Temporary partition walls that displayed art have been removed. Protective drapes and windowscreens that blocked sunlight have disappeared, revealing the dynamic role of light in these spaces.]
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