# Oddly shaped black building near Dulles (Washington, DC) Airport **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816 "2007-01-05T14:44:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/1 "2007-01-05T14:44:12Z")
I’ve flown into Dulles Airport many times, and am intrigued by a nearby building I’ve seen from the air. It stands about 6 stories tall, has a black mirrored exterior, is tapered at the base and flairs out toward the top. I’ve never seen anything like it. The odd, futuristic shape, dark color, and location near D.C. suggests a functionality to the design, making me wonder if it’s DoD related. What’s the story? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/2 "2007-01-05T14:45:59Z")
I have no idea. not only is it ugly. it is the kind of ugly you have to pay extra for. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/3 "2007-01-05T15:27:19Z")
I’ve seen it many times. It’s the [Center for Innovative Technology](http://www.cit.org/). Here’s the [google satellite link](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=east+andes+road+york,+pa&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=40.067398,-76.752119&spn=0.015272,0.043259&om=1&iwloc=addr). ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/4 "2007-01-05T15:35:35Z")
:smack: Oops! wrong link! well, poop! Here’s the addy: 2214 Rock Hill Road, Herndon, VA. Enter that into the Google Maps thingy and click on Satellite, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/5 "2007-01-05T15:41:04Z")
It’s called the **we let the guys who built it drink at work building.** ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/6 "2007-01-05T15:52:13Z")
[Picture of building](http://szsdc.com/office/office.html). Fun. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/7 "2007-01-05T17:03:20Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] I’ve seen it many times. It’s the [Center for Innovative Technology](http://www.cit.org/). Here’s the [google satellite link](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=east+andes+road+york,+pa&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=40.067398,-76.752119&spn=0.015272,0.043259&om=1&iwloc=addr). [/QUOTE] Hey, I’ve seen “Three Days of the Condor.” Center for Innovative Technology Headquarters Building? Right. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/8 "2007-01-05T20:36:22Z")
I’ve driven by the place many times. It looks like a rocket accident. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/9 "2007-01-05T20:38:23Z")
Whoa! It am Bizarro building! ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/10 "2007-01-05T21:28:00Z")
At least [it is not adorned by a giant yellow sperm](http://www.flickr.com/photos/groman/132765423/in/set-72057594111414850/). I was told it was the Asahi building, meant to represent a beer glass and foam… looks like a giant yellow sperm to me. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/11 "2007-01-05T23:33:58Z")
[QUOTE=groman] I was told it was the Asahi building, meant to represent a beer glass and foam… looks like a giant yellow sperm to me. [/QUOTE] It looks like God snot to me. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/12 "2007-01-06T01:07:23Z")
It is Warehouse 23. There **is no** Warehouse 23. _Remember that!_ ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/13 "2007-01-06T06:42:08Z")
I thought _we_ owned [the ugliest building in the world](http://canada.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/09_Toronto/0900335_1_300.JPG)… ---
**Author:** ![BACI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@BACI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BACI)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/14 "2007-01-06T07:55:30Z")
No you don’t… We do. > **[Federation Square, Melbourne Victoria Australia](https://www.bcl.com.au/melbourne/melbourne-views/mk022.htm)** > > Federation Square, Melbourne Photo: Copyright Maxlink Media Services Game over. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/15 "2007-01-06T10:55:37Z")
No you are both wrong. [Seattle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EMPSeattle.jpg) [Claims](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ExperienceMusicProject.jpg) [the prize.](http://www.2blowhards.com/archives/Experience%20Music%20Project.jpg) Apparently [Frank O. Geary](http://www.rangeweb.net/~cheyennearea/staff/wallace/seattle/pictures/final_bldg.jpg) [does not](http://corporateportal.ppg.com/NR/rdonlyres/1FE2A80D-07E5-4543-A48A-E25C0A2F72FE/0/emp.jpg)[own a](http://www.rangeweb.net/~cheyennearea/staff/wallace/seattle/pictures/final_bldg.jpg) [straightedge.](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.worldofstock.com/slides/AAB1462.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/AAB1462.php&h=333&w=500&sz=36&hl=en&sig2=UUIiT2AGzIPhJVs4nDBHNg&start=51&tbnid=-YOdcnzR6e3yzM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130&ei=jX6fRbT2Jc3OJMiz6e8P&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexperience%2Bmusic%2Bproject%26start%3D36%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) The Seattle dopers want to know what they won. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/16 "2007-01-06T11:17:26Z")
Here in Edinburgh we have a wonderfully ugly new Parliament building: [side view](http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/jpgs/scottish_parliament_msp_qbh.jpg) [front view](http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/jpgs/scottish_parliament_kh2.jpg) [members’ offices](http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/jpgs/scotparl_msp_southwest_kh_rmjm.jpg); [close up](http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/jpgs/scotparl_MSP_elevation.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/17 "2007-01-06T12:03:47Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] No you are both wrong. [Seattle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EMPSeattle.jpg) [Claims](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ExperienceMusicProject.jpg) [the prize.](http://www.2blowhards.com/archives/Experience%20Music%20Project.jpg) Apparently [Frank O. Geary](http://www.rangeweb.net/~cheyennearea/staff/wallace/seattle/pictures/final_bldg.jpg) [does not](http://corporateportal.ppg.com/NR/rdonlyres/1FE2A80D-07E5-4543-A48A-E25C0A2F72FE/0/emp.jpg)[own a](http://www.rangeweb.net/~cheyennearea/staff/wallace/seattle/pictures/final_bldg.jpg) [straightedge.](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.worldofstock.com/slides/AAB1462.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/AAB1462.php&h=333&w=500&sz=36&hl=en&sig2=UUIiT2AGzIPhJVs4nDBHNg&start=51&tbnid=-YOdcnzR6e3yzM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130&ei=jX6fRbT2Jc3OJMiz6e8P&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexperience%2Bmusic%2Bproject%26start%3D36%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) The Seattle dopers want to know what they won. [/QUOTE] To be sure no one misses that monstrosity, where did they put it? Right at the base of Seattle’s major tourist attraction, The Space Needle. Photographs do not do that, that, _edifice_ justice, though you may get a better idea of the totality of the clashing colors and textures and proportions on this [this](http://www.thecityreview.com/phaid.html) page. Scroll just over halfway down to see the Experience Music Project. Be forewarned of the other contenders for “World’s Ugliest Building” on that site. PS: The designer’s name is Frank Gehry. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/18 "2007-01-06T12:29:46Z")
[QUOTE=Caractacus Pott] PS: The designer’s name is Frank Gehry. [/QUOTE] :smack: I knew that! ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/19 "2007-01-06T12:34:08Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] :smack: I knew that! [/QUOTE] Don’t worry about it. The sight of that building probably scared the spelling right out of you! ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816/20 "2007-01-06T16:02:30Z")
There’s a building in Tyson’s Corner, VA, that has a large white archway over its front courtyard. It’s oval in shape, and it looks like a toilet bowl seat. If you mention “The Toilet Bowl”, people in the area immediately know what building you’re talking about. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-shaped-black-building-near-dulles-washington-dc-airport/386816.md?page=2)