Meld Studio Architecture, LLC

In honor of America’s 250th year, we’re looking back at a lesser-known architectural story from one of the country’s Founding Fathers.

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, was deeply interested in architecture and design. Although he did not design the original White House, he left his own mark on it.

During his presidency, Jefferson worked with architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe on the East and West Colonnades — one-story additions that connected the main residence to service buildings and brought more symmetry, function, and classical character to the President’s House.

They were not the modern East and West Wings we know today, but they helped establish the footprint where those wings would later develop.

250 years later, it’s a reminder that American architecture has always been shaped by vision, collaboration, and the evolving story of the places we build.

One of our team members recently had the opportunity to see the remarkable Innovation, Science and Technology Building at Florida Polytechnic University.

Designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, this iconic structure showcases his signature approach to blending engineering innovation with striking architectural form. Completed in 2014, the building is best known for its dramatic kinetic roof system, featuring operable skylights shaded by a pair of massive hydraulically activated wings that open and close throughout the day.

Projects like this remind us how thoughtful design can transform a building into an experience by combining functionality, technology, and artistry into a truly unforgettable space.