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: What We Hold Precious

Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers reflects on use of precious in decorative elements of the Library of Congress, including the Torch of Knowledge, Great Hall and Main Reading Room. Gold, copper, bronze and aluminum elements play an important role in the inspiration of the Jefferson Building.
By Stephen T. Ayers | July 12, 2017
        
                  Image
    The gilded Torch of Knowledge above the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

Walking through the Capitol campus, I frequently come across ornamentation in our buildings made from various metals. I was recently taking in the splendor of the gilded Torch of Knowledge above the Thomas Jefferson Building when my mind began wandering through the many additional decorative elements found within that grand building.

Architecture is always representative of culture when it is built. The 19th century's influence on the design of the Jefferson Building can be seen from the theatrical and heavily ornamented Beaux Arts style, which uses lavish materials like gold.

Notable gold features include the striking ceiling of the vestibule near the Great Hall and the coffered dome of the Main Reading Room with 320 gilt rosettes. Even the copper roof was initially gilded with 23-carat gold; imagine that!



Image
    Looking up at the laylights of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building Great Hall.*Looking up at the laylights of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building Great Hall.*

Some of the precious details inside, however, aren’t treated with this same embellishment but with another more surprising metal instead. Aluminum was chosen for leafing in several prominent places of the building that are not obvious at first, including around the ceiling laylights of the Great Hall.

Aluminum wasn't always as ubiquitous as it currently is. Just before the Jefferson Building's construction, the largest piece of cast aluminum that had ever been created was the 8.9-inch tip placed atop the Washington Monument in 1884. It was considered our most precious metal at the time – more so than gold and silver – because it was incredibly difficult to obtain and to refine.



Image
    The Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.*Gilt rosettes in the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.*

The gold, copper, bronze, aluminum and other metal elements all play an important role in the inspiration of the Jefferson Building. They are a delight to the senses. Treasured spaces like these on the Capitol campus create inspiring memories for staff and visitors alike. And the memories made here are precious indeed.

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