John Chapman / Photo courtesy John Chapman Arena Stage at Mead Center / Courtesy Wikipedia

Organization of American States / Courtesy John Collier via Wikipedia Dumbarton Oaks / Courtesy Wikipedia Komi Restaurant / Courtesy Stephanie Hua

John Chapman is a founding partner of nearly 30-year-old firm Karn Charhaus Chapman & Twohey Architecture Planning and Interiors (KCCT). Though the firm has completed more than 400 projects in over 140 cities around the world, it calls D.C. home.

Best New Architecture
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
The new arena stage by Bing Thom Architects is a very, very nice new building. I recommend anyone who comes to D.C. go take a look.

Best Historic Architecture
National Building Museum
Any visitor to Washington who is an architect ought to see the inside of the National Building Museum, which I still call the Pension Building—its original name from the Civil War.

Organization of American States
The main building of the Organization of American States (on the corner of 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, near the White House) is a little-known treasure.

Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Architecture
Philip Johnson Pavilion at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection
Philip Johnson's collection of Pre-Colombian Art on the estate of Dumbarton Oaks Park in Georgetown is a great place to go. You have to be careful about the hours that it's open, but it's worth it.

Best Museums and Galleries
The National Portrait Gallery
Visitors should definitely make a stop at this great museum's courtyard to see Norman Foster's atrium there.

The Phillips Collection
I've always been a fan of the Rothko room and have meditated there on many occasions.

Best Dining, Drinking, and Shopping
Komi
I wouldn't go there without a good expense account, but it's a fine restaurant. It's a mixture of Greek and a little bit of Japanese. It's just a real experience.

Proof Restaurant
This is quite close to the convention venue and they do great wine-pairings with food. It's very good.