What does it truly mean to feel a sense of belonging in the world around us? This question, etched in the fabric of our lives since childhood, lies at the heart of Building Stories, an immersive exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, United States that transcends continents, epochs and cultures, using the pages of literature crafted for the young as its compass. In the words of the exhibition's curator Leonard S Marcus, "Books for young readers tell the story of our hopes and dreams." The exhibition explores the intersection of storytelling and architecture, drawing parallels between the narratives found in children's literature and the built environment.

In recent years, educators have advocated for visual literacy, emphasising the importance of understanding visual art as a language with its own grammar and structure. The art exhibition extends the concept, introducing visitors to the notion of ‘built environment literacy’. As Marcus elucidates, this form of literacy invites us to decode the three-dimensional world around us, discerning the intentions and emotions embedded within the structures we inhabit. From the cosy warmth of a familiar home to the awe-inspiring majesty of towering skyscrapers, the built environment shapes our perceptions and experiences.

Spanning 4,000 square feet, this exhibition marks the most ambitious project in the museum’s history, having been in development for over six years. Created in collaboration with Cathy Frankel, the Deputy Director for Interpretive Content at the National Building Museum, Marcus, an expert in children’s literature and the design team from Portland, OR-based exhibition and experiential design studio, Plus And Greater Than, it serves as a portal into the imaginative world of children's literature, inviting visitors on a captivating exploration of architecture, engineering, construction and design.

The design exhibition showcases a curated selection of 150 of the most beloved books for young readers from around the globe, spanning two centuries and hundreds more are available for open browsing in the show’s reading nooks. Among these literary books are both familiar favourites and new finds, each offering a blend of humour, emotion, wisdom and honesty. Reflecting on the diversity of human experiences, these books serve as windows into different cultures and perspectives. As poet W.H. Auden put it, “There are good books which are only for adults because their comprehension presupposes adult experiences, but there are no good books which are only for children.” Through their capacity to spark imagination and empathy, these books invite visitors of all ages to journey through the enchanting world of Building Stories.

The design event is for everyone with an innate curiosity and love for captivating stories, whether conveyed through words, pictures or both. Through a series of interconnected and immersive landscapes guided by the principles that the built environment is exploratory, personal, surprising, inspiring and transformative, it is intentionally designed to engage a multigenerational audience. Despite the assumption that some adults may have outgrown children's books, they will be pleasantly surprised by the impact and wonder evoked by the array of illustrated books on display.

From exploring the building blocks of language to contemplating the concept of home, the exhibition is organised into four distinct galleries, each offering a unique perspective on the relationship between literature and architecture. This immersive experience ponders the role of scale in shaping our perception of space and considers ways to actively contribute to the improvement of our environment.

Building Readers

In the first gallery, visitors are immersed in the foundational elements shared by language and design, discovering the parallels between books and building construction. From rare book dummies to original sketches and architectural models, this gallery offers a glimpse into the creative process that underpins both building and book-making. Highlights include an array of ABC books from around the world, an animated video showcasing transformations and creatively designed illustrated books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter and 600 Black Spots: A Pop-Up Book for Children of All Ages by David A Carter. Original artwork for classics like Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall are also on display, alongside models by renowned architects like Frank Gehry and historical building blocks.

Your Home, My Home

This gallery explores the diverse manifestations of ‘home’ across cultures and continents; from the intimate confines of a bedroom to the sprawling expanse of a neighbourhood. Inspired by the fable, Three Little Pigs, visitors pass through three archways connecting the galleries and encounter a captivating multimedia presentation bringing stories like Faith Ringgold's Tar Beach,, and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats to life. Highlights include interactive slideshows and analogue exploration stations. Original prints by artists like Carmen Lomas Garza and sketches by Roxie Munro and Peter Sis add depth to the exploration. Visitors are also provided with a free sketchbook, encouraging them to engage creatively with the exhibition's themes.

Scale Play

The third gallery in the exhibition challenges one to reconsider the perceptions of size and space. Inspired by the whimsy of children's literature, it invites visitors to navigate through a ‘magic portal’ threshold, a tapered tunnel that creates an illusion of changing size. Highlights include interactive experiences like a shrink ray viewer and a binocular viewer. Guests can also engage in hands-on activities such as building houses with magnets inspired by the book Sky High or squishing a model of the Flatiron building as if they were giants. A special focus on the architecture of the White House provides insight into historical and contemporary perspectives, complemented by books like Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone and Brick by Brick byHeidi Woodward Sheffield.

Wider World

In the final gallery, the exhibition unites its core themes to spotlight the potential for children's real-world empowerment and involvement. How can we collectively shape a brighter future? Inspired by the illustrations of award-winning author Oliver Jeffers, this gallery invites visitors to engage with oversized soft blocks adorned with imagery and words from children's books. From Here We Are to What We’ll Build, these books underscore the significance of imagination, creativity and community in shaping our collective future. Notable features include an expansive reading nook stocked with books catering to architecture, construction and design enthusiasts, alongside original artwork from titles like The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and a curated selection including Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse by George Mendoza, The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, and more.

Frankel and Marcus, highlight a selection of books that encapsulate the essence of Building Stories. From the comforting familiarity of Goodnight Moon to exploring the art of storytelling in David Macaulay’s Rome Antics, each book offers a distinct perspective on the relationship between literature, architecture and human experience. Tar Beach and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster further enrich the narrative, inviting visitors to explore, reflect and imagine within the immersive landscape of the exhibition.

An intriguing feature of the exhibition is that it features cross-laminated timber archways, created through a series of curving wooden ribs. The designers have employed techniques akin to pop-up books, transforming two-dimensional surfaces into a three-dimensional interactive experience. A soundscape follows the visitor through this corridor with a chorus of voices reading aloud various lines from books, creating a hypnotic world of imagined places. 

The curator is optimistic that the exhibition will inspire visitors to take action in their own built environments. "I hope that visitors will be struck by the artistry, dynamism and variety of the art and books on view. I also wish that children who do not ordinarily feel comfortable in a museum setting will feel very much at home in this one and that they will want to return multiple times over the course of its 10-year run”, he says.

Building Stories is more than an exhibition; it is a testament to the power of narratives in reshaping our perceptions of the world and our place within it. The organisers hope that visitors will leave the exhibition with a renewed understanding of storytelling's impact on communities.Building Stories is an ongoing long-term exhibition on view at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, USA.