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          History & DiscoveriesArticleCalm and Collected WatersBy Sarah Davis|June 20, 2018Capitol campus look cool and refreshing, they aren't designed for humans to play in. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental tranquility and increased creativity. Below is a collection of seven water features that inspire. 1. Olmsted **Fountains** Near the central entrance of the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center are two large **fountains** designed by Frederick Law Olmsted that often feature floral displays. 2. West Front Fountain The octagonal fountain on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol has a circular basin with eight ...Summer officially starts this week and the weather in Washington, D.C., is getting warmer. While water features on the U.S. Capitol campus look cool and refreshing, they aren't designed for humans to play in. These small areas of urban "blue space" may provide other benefits though, including mental
    Public NoticeArticleU.S. Botanic Garden Reopens to VisitorsBy AOC Staff|April 1, 2022The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory reopened to the public today, April 1, marking a full reopening of all areas of the USBG.
    Behind the ScenesArticleArboretum in the CityBy Carol Campos|April 26, 2023Capitol Grounds. This area includes lawns, parks, historic and commemorative trees, statuary, historic **fountains** and water features that provide an awe-inspiring setting for the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol Grounds were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in a Capitol campus expansion project performed from 1874 to 1892. Olmsted used trees heavily in his design to both frame the building ...Walking around the U.S. Capitol Grounds you can't help but be in awe of the impressive buildings and their historic meaning, what you probably don't know is that the U.S. Capitol Building is surrounded by an arboretum.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleOlmsted's Never-Built RetreatBy Franklin Bradley|September 21, 2021He called the **fountains** Olmsted built on the east side of the U.S. Capitol, "a couple of Dutch spittoons." Beck had likely seen the Summerhouse before it was blended into its surroundings. While it was under construction, the entire brick building was visible. Much of the completed structure would be covered by soil that ...Before it was cut from the budget, Olmsted had begun designing a south summerhouse; his sketches for it have been rediscovered.
    Public NoticeArticleLiving On, The Olmsted WayBy AOC Staff|March 7, 2022Capitol Grounds , a delightful design he used to accentuate the U.S. Capitol Building. In his submission for the Architect of the Capitol's annual report, Olmsted wrote, "the ground is in design part of the Capitol, but in all respects subsidiary to the central structure." Olmsted incorporated hardscapes – **fountains**, lanterns, lamps, walkways and terrace walls – into his plan for the U.S. Capitol Grounds. He also was very careful and deliberate with his placement of trees to afford attractive views of the U.S. Capitol.   Olmsted explained his aesthetic, and the central role of trees in it, in an 1882 essay, in ...Two trees, Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) and Styphnolobium japonicum (Japanese pagoda), will be removed for safety reasons this spring.
    Behind the ScenesArticleBy the Numbers: Presidential Inauguration 2021By Erin Nelson|January 4, 2021Much goes into the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Here are a few numbers that help set the stage for this special day.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleBy the Numbers: Senate FountainBy Andrew Dentamaro|April 12, 20173 ...   The **fountain** consists of three separate components: the main basin, lower level basins and the reflecting pool. From the basin, the water is piped underground to three sculpted stone bubbler **fountains** in the north wall of the terrace. From there the water is again piped underground to the lower level of the reflecting pool. 6 ...   Number of lion-head spouts on the faces of the hexagon main basin. Water streams into a large circular basin with a scalloped stone rim, over which water spill into a ...One of the overlooked gems on Capitol Hill, the Senate fountain , is nestled between Union Station and the U.S. Capitol, atop the Senate upper park. A hexagonal granite monolith with high jets of water spouting from its center, the Architect of the Capitol received authorization for its construction
    History & DiscoveriesArticleWater Features EverywhereBy Sarah Davis|April 7, 2016Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or pool. Popular water features near the U.S. Capitol include Bartholdi Fountain , Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park **fountains** and the Neptune Fountain , but below are eight others to know around the campus. 1. Skylight Reflecting Pools On the Capitol Building 's east front plaza, two identical pools are installed. The center of each acts as a glass skylight for the Capitol Visitor Center complex located beneath.   2. ...There are more than 20 water features that Architect of the Capitol employees care for. Spanning across the Capitol campus, each of the House office buildings, Senate office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, Supreme Court buildings and the U.S. Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or
    History & DiscoveriesArticleFalling Into SpringBy Erin Courtney|March 29, 2017"Our gardeners pull, till and amend more than 160 flower beds and plant springtime bulbs. Our maintenance shop is busy hauling materials for the gardeners, cleaning and making repairs to **fountains**, and servicing the Capitol Reflecting Pool . And our tree care specialists are preparing recently planted campus trees to not only survive cold weather but thrive in the warmer months," said Bechtol. Ralph LoJacono, Supervisor of the Gardening Division, is constantly watching the weather, the ...Spring is the season of new beginnings when the Earth seems to come to life again. But it is the year-round planning, preparation and hard work of the Capitol Grounds team that ensures buds bloom, vibrant colors delight and fragrant flowers excite the senses on Capitol Hill. Ted Bechtol , Capitol
    Programs & EventsArticleCool Tools: Capitol Materials CartBy Erin Courtney|June 5, 2019Members of our trade teams showcased their expertise in electrical systems, masonry, sheet metal, woodcrafting and painting. The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team highlighted the Olmsted Plan and the gorgeous features of the grounds, from living trees and plants to historic **fountains** and walls. The United States Botanic Garden team encouraged visitors to participate in a wide variety of activities. Attendees also got a sneak peek at one of the agency's largest construction projects, the Cannon Renewal . Capitol Hill Day was a success. Adult, Family and Youth Program Coordinator ...The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.
    ProjectsArticleOlmsted Lanterns RestorationBy Kate Holder|February 4, 2021Commissioned in 1873 by the U.S. Congress to design the enlarged grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Olmsted spent the next 20-plus years overseeing the development of the 58.8-acre site. His plan included not only planting hundreds of trees and shrubs but also constructing walls, walkways, **fountains** and the massive marble terraces surrounding the north, west and south sides of the U.S. Capitol. To help light walkways on the grounds, Olmsted also designed and constructed numerous lanterns with the help of his young architectural associate, Thomas Wisedell. Between 1882 and 1894, 14 of their ...The large bronze and glass lanterns are mounted on stately sandstone piers with intricately carved sandstone caps.
    From the ArchitectArticleArchitect's Notebook: Design with PurposeBy Stephen T. Ayers|March 15, 2017This sense of order and balance are comforting to me. I hope you're able to take in some of the finer details around our beautiful campus this spring as the flowers and **fountains** burst to life. Stephen T. Ayers is the 11th Architect of the Capitol. ...As many of you know, I love birds. I made the mistake of announcing at a meeting some time ago that I occasionally listen to CDs of bird calls and songs as I drive to and from work. Most of the members of my team have made fun of me since then, while a few other bird enthusiasts have secretly come
    Behind the ScenesArticleBehind the Scenes: Senate Office Buildings Masonry BranchBy Elizabeth Yoder|November 1, 2017Donald Kline removes failing caulking from the Russell Courtyard fountain. Their work is time consuming and exacting, but, because of their skill, is largely invisible once it's complete. Masons restore marble, color matching the epoxy to carefully hide the seams. They clean granite in the Senate **fountains** which gets stained because of sediment in the water. And they repair ornate decorative plaster elements which serve as focal points in key rooms in the Senate office buildings. Masonry staff also cut holes in the walls and the floor for needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades, then seamlessly ...Some Architect of the Capitol employees are highly visible, while others work behind the scenes to preserve the awe-inspiring facilities on Capitol Hill. Go behind the scenes to learn more about the work of the Senate Office Buildings Masonry Branch beginning at 4 a.m. each morning.
    History & DiscoveriesArticleU.S. Botanic Garden at 200: Deeply Rooted, Branching OutwardBy Devin Dotson|July 23, 2020For 200 years, the U.S. Botanic Garden has been showcasing plants to visitors from around the globe. Originally proposed by George Washington to establish a place for Americans to learn about useful and engaging plants.
    ProjectsArticleAt the AOC, It's Always Home Improvement TimeBy Justin Kieffer|June 24, 2021While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.
    Public NoticeArticleA Welcoming Morning at the U.S. Botanic GardenBy USBG Staff|December 17, 2015The USBG's operations team was instrumental in ensuring the Conservatory was prepared for our visitors by modifying certain features to provide an environment with fewer physical stimulants including turning off large fans, plant misters, water **fountains**, music, hand dryers and sliding doors. Volunteers facilitated four seasonal discovery carts, which provided tactile and multi-sensory opportunities to explore the model buildings, see and smell cacao as it is turned into chocolate, touch cones from conifers and make living ornaments. The USBG ...The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is a living plant museum that informs visitors about the importance, and often irreplaceable value, of plants to the earth's fragile ecosystems. To ensure access to the broadest possible audience, the USBG recently hosted its first Morning at the Museum
    Behind the ScenesArticleWhile You Were Sleeping – AOC Masons at WorkBy Lori Taylor|October 18, 2012Masons working at the Architect of the Capitol get the campus ready for another day before the rest of the employees on Capitol Hill even wake. They have a small window of time very early in the day to complete any tasks that may interfere with visitors or the work of staff.
    Behind the ScenesArticleAOC Employees ExCEL in New ProgramsBy Erin Nelson|October 16, 2014The team is responsible for overseeing the HVAC, lighting and plumbing systems, as well as monitoring energy usage in all of the buildings. It plays a role in designing, engineering, installing and maintaining major systems campus wide, including air handlers, pumps, lights and even **fountains**, and also oversees the Building Automation Communication network. This particular partnership showcases how the ExCEL Program provides benefits for both jurisdictions involved. "Andy will take the knowledge he's gained here back to the Supreme Court and will be more self-sufficient. He'll be able ...While the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) core mission is to preserve the buildings in our care, we realize that to be successful, preserving knowledge is just as important as preserving the buildings. Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

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