The National Building Museum’s Festival of the Building Arts this Saturday provides a glimpse into the world of construction and design. Architects, engineers, carpenters, furniture-makers, gilders, roofers, and others will be on hand to chat and answer questions. Visitors can lay bricks, finish drywall, and take part in a nail-driving contest. Kids will love the “petting zoo” of dump trucks, cranes, and excavators. Throughout the day, propane-powered backhoes, professional dancers, and ballet students will perform Pas De Dirt, a dance designed specifically for the festival.

National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW; Saturday, October 11, 10:30 to 4. $5 donation suggested.

Eight embassies and diplomatic residences will open their doors to the public this Sunday during the Kalorama House and Embassy Tour. In its 24th year, the tour provides the opportunity to see the architecture and learn the history of each residence on the tour. Interesting stops include the residence of the ambassador of Monaco (pictured at right),  whose house was once the home of President Warren G. Harding, and the Italian country villa style residence of the Zambia’s first female Ambassador.  

The tour is from noon to 5 PM on Sunday, September 21 and begins at the Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S Street, NW.  Tickets are $30, $25 in advance.

Early model of the Wiener Trio.

What: Philip Johnson: Architecture as Art

Where: The Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Road, NW; 202-338-3552.

When: The exhibit runs through July 31 and is open Tuesday through Friday—tours (reservations required) are at 10:30 and 1:30. Also open Saturdays from 10 to 4.

Cost: $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors.

In the video that anchors this exhibit, the late American architect Philip Johnson peers out over his signature circular glasses. Holding a model in his hands, he explains where he got the ideas for his geometric structures: “I like to be compressed and cuddled, and yet look out, you know?” Johnson, who designed the Kreeger Museum as a home for Mr. and Mrs. David Lloyd Kreeger and exhibition space for their art collection in 1963, died in 2005.

Mount Vernon welcomes warm weather with its Spring Garden Party this weekend. In honor of Mother’s Day, "Martha Washington" will be on hand to greet visitors. Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, 8 AM to 5 PM.
 
Clifton shows off five of its historic homes during the Clifton Charity Homes Tour on Thursday, May 15 . A marketplace May 14 and 15 showcases work by local artists and pieces from boutiques. Tickets to the tour (9:30 to 3:30) are $25, $20 in advance. Admission to the marketplace is free.

During Georgetown Garden Treasures: Tudor Place and Dumbarton Oaks,  two experts—Gail Griffin, director of gardens and grounds at Dumbarton Oaks, and Mary K. Crow, horticulturist at Tudor Place—lead a guided tour through two of Washington’s most stunning gardens. Saturday, May 17, 11 AM. Tickets $12.

During the Washington Antiques Show this weekend, you can browse furniture, vintage jewelry, ceramics, silver, garden accents, and more from 45 dealers. The show’s theme this year is “Inspirations from the Garden.” Dealers—from Washington, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, Portugal, and more—will showcase garden motifs such as flowers, birds, vines, and topiary.  There are also lectures, appraisals, and a new collectors’ evening with a talk by James Archer Abbott, former curator of the Woodrow Wilson House in Northwest DC.

Washington Antiques Show, Omni Shoreham, 2500 Calvert Street, NW; January 11 to 13, Friday and Saturday 11 to 8, Sunday 11 to 4; $15, $25 for three days.

Downtown DC home-decor store RCKNDY (pronounced “Rock Candy”) tomorrow hosts a discussion and book-signing with architect and home-furnishing designer Lisa Roberts, author of Antiques of the Future. In her book, Roberts recommends more than 200 mass-produced products—such as office furniture, kitchen products, lighting, textiles, and clocks—with such noteworthy designs that they will increase in value over time.

If you haven’t had the chance to stop by RCKNDY, this would be a great opportunity to check out the 1,800-square-foot showroom, which owner David Dennis stocks with pieces by local, national, and international designers including XYdecor, Orange 22, MoxBox, PlushLiving, Blu Dot, Mint, and Mud Australia. The event is free, and complimentary wine will be served.

Friday, December 14 | 7 to 8:30 PM | RCKNDY , 1515 U Street, NW