Empire State Building is America's Favorite

America’s favorite building in the U.S. is the Empire State Building, while Frank Lloyd Wright was the nation’s most prolific architect of popular structures—this according to a Harris Interactive poll released today in honor of the American Institute of Architect’s 150th anniversary. To compile its list of the most popular buildings in the U.S., Harris Interactive polled more than 1,800 adults based on a preselected list of 247 buildings compiled by an AIA panel. The AIA commissioned the survey to generate public awareness about architecture.

“(The poll) confirms that architecture resonates with people,” AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA, said in a statement that accompanied the poll’s release this morning near the U.S. Capitol building, which itself ranked No. 6 on the list. “These buildings hold a place in their hearts and minds.” The release of the poll was timed to coincide with the AIA’s annual Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference. Nearly 800 architects are visiting Washington, D.C., this week to participate in networking events and meet with members of Congress about sustainability and other issues important to the profession.