The design of the AGU headquarters building was conceived in response to AGU's strong desire to create an architecture identifiable with its organization and which expressed the spirit of its various scientific disciplines. At the same time, the building's scale and materials are compatible with those of the surrounding historic district, making it a friendly addition to the largely residential area.
Symbolism starts on the exterior of the building.
Along the sidewalks, the planets and their orbits around the Sun are represented by brass and marble. A point representing the Sun is located in the plaza at the corner of Florida and 20th Street. The building's facade mirrors the changes in density within the Earth. The recessed windows and curtainwall on the 5th floor add to the solid look of the masonry. In the foyer at the main entrance on Florida Avenue, the masonry strata dip into the building where the glass prism meets the ground.