In recent years, a flurry of building has been changing the landscape of our city, creating excitement all around. This installation presents a way of charting this flurry.

EL Studio won AIA DC's open competition to design and implement a holiday window installation in the District Architecture Center's 7th ST, NW storefront window. The intent of the installation was to create some of the holiday window excitement of yore while also generating some interest and knowledge of the city's architecture and environment.

For every 20 new building projects constructed between 1990 and 2015, a mylar balloon shimmers as it rises, its height indicating the quantity of building permits issued that year.

Utilizing data from the US Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, which was initiated in 2005, the size of each balloon indicates the relative affordability of rental units in the city, revealing a diminishing supply of low-cost housing.

Utilizing data from the US Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, which was initiated in 2005, the size of each balloon indicates the relative affordability of rental units in the city, revealing a diminishing supply of low-cost housing.

These balloons reflect a new and promising energy felt all over the District.

These balloons reflect a new and promising energy felt all over the District.

These balloons reflect a new and promising energy felt all over the District.

It’s time to lift everyone up for a better view!

It’s time to lift everyone up for a better view!