Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusOur Blog
Architect's Notebook: A Progression of the Imagination

The entry sequence and progression through spaces are carefully thought out by architects as buildings are designed. Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers describes how we can experience Capitol Hill's magnificent national treasures the way they were originally imagined.
By Stephen T. Ayers | December 5, 2016
        
                  Image
    A portico of tall Corinthian columns gives the Supreme Court Building a monumental entrance.

I long for the days when we can experience all of the magnificent national treasures on Capitol Hill as they were originally imagined.

The entry sequence and progression through spaces are carefully thought out by architects as buildings are designed. These experiences are very powerful and purposefully created with both direct and subtle clues to evoke a wide range of feelings and emotions.

A portico of tall Corinthian columns gives the Supreme Court Building a monumental entrance.

*A portico of tall Corinthian columns gives the Supreme Court Building a monumental entrance.*

The entrance to the U.S. Supreme Court, for example, is designed with power, authority, grandeur and importance in mind. After ascending broad, sweeping marble steps, its portico's monstrous columns bulge in the middle and taper to the top, giving a sense of strength, weight and rising up to the ultimate authority.

To enter the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building, two flights of stairs were envisioned. At the top, the grand entryway's lower ceiling gives the sense of anticipation before arriving at the opulent Great Hall.

Sadly, acts of violence and threats to security have changed the way we experience some of our public spaces and building approaches at the Capitol complex. Instead of ascending the grand stairs, we now walk underneath or around them. The new routes are unfortunate, but vital for everyone's safety.

While we have to make difficult decisions to ensure that our buildings, and the people inside them, are both served and protected, opportunities abound to return our buildings to the way they once were through our historic preservation efforts.

The Capitol's Zodiac Corridor is a great example of restoring a building to its original vision. For ten years, this area was converted into a makeshift office space by a wall separating it from the rest of the Brumidi Corridors. Partnering with Congress, we were able to remove the wall and convert this space to its original glory.

A similar return to original design will happen as part of the Cannon Building's renewal project. Imagine experiencing those restored hallways and seeing the corridor ends filled with natural light pouring in from windows currently obstructed by makeshift offices.

I often think about what those who walked the original paths of the Capitol complex so many years ago must have felt and seen. I challenge you to do the same. Our imaginations are boundless.

***Stephen T. Ayers is the 11th Architect of the Capitol.***

**This story is also published in the Fall 2016 issue of AOC's *Tholos* magazine.**
Comments
    
  
    
Marty Shore (n... (not verified)PermalinkDecember 5, 2016 - 1:34pmStephen,_x000D_ Great blog! I agree - through preservation,  there is both the possibility to maintain  original design intent, and to insure people's safety by recognizing current contexts and realities.
ReplyKenneth R. (no... (not verified)PermalinkDecember 5, 2016 - 3:24pmMr. Ayers, thanks for composing such a thought-provoking piece, and thanks for your work to open up some spaces once thought to be only useful for overflow offices._x000D_ _x000D_ One thought I had while reading your description of the meaning of the grand entrance stairs and how they have changed because of modern security needs.  It could be nice for one week out of the year to set up temporary security stations so the public could use those entrances--such as the direct one into the Rotunda up the East Portico stairs--as they were intended by the 19th C. architects. I've always wanted to go in the front door of the Capitol Building and have never had the chance in my years of living in D.C._x000D_ _x000D_ Such a unique program could be a meaningful short-term compromise between security and history--and make for a grand AoC p.r. event, too.
Replyelo boost (not... (not verified)PermalinkDecember 8, 2016 - 3:33amGreat goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what you've acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous site.
ReplyMICHAEL J LILL... (not verified)PermalinkMay 15, 2018 - 3:56pmTo preserve for the future is a difficult task, I appreciate the work for today and every day.  THANK YOU.
ReplyAdd new comment
    Your name
Email Address
        The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Comment
About text formats
Plain text
  
  
      
          No HTML tags allowed.
                      Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
                      Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
          
    
      Recent Stories
Related Articles
            
          From the Architect

  Architect's Notebook: One of My Favorite Things

While I often use this space to write about some of my favorite architectural features found on Capitol Hill, I want to use this Architect's Notebook to write about my favorite and most important p
    From the Architect

  Architect's Notebook: Finding Comfort In Balance

It is human nature to try to find order and balance in our surroundings. One of the ways I do this in my own life is to be as organized as possible.
    From the Architect

  Architect's Notebook: A Washington Connection

Even after working with this agency for more than 20 years, I continue to discover little surprises in the buildings, grounds and art cared for by our employees.
    From the Architect

  Architect's Notebook: Signs of Respect

Many of our monumental buildings on Capitol Hill were designed and constructed using classical orders of architecture.
    
                      More Stories Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe