The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-27
THE STATE CAPITOL.
Architect Flagg Tells Of the
New Building.
FOUNDATION NOW COMPLETED.
In Two Years the Legislature Can Meet
In a Magnificent Structure of
Stone-The Grounds.
FOUNDATION NOW COMPLETED.

e 7.
Flagg, who was In the city yesterday, the
guest of Erastus Brainerd, at Iil6 Fifth
street. says he has finished the plans and
Specifications for the supersfructure and
will call for bids IN few days. Under
the law passed by the last legislature the
plans cover every thing connected with
the building. even 10 the steam heating
and electric plants. Until the contract
has been awarded work Will be sus-
pended
The general shape of the new building,
says MrIFiagg, is a parallelogram meas
uring about go feet one way by $50 the
other. 1t will be about seventy feet high
and the dome viii rise TO $50 feet. The
corners of the building are accumulated
by projecting pavilions, and between
these payiiions en- the south front Is a
colonnade OF Corinthian columns extend
ing through two entire stories and form
Ing loggias on either side OF the main
entrance. In front OF the latter is
portico approached by a semi-circular
step in the level OF the terrace. Above
the portico is a itch pediment, the tym-
panum being ornamented by siatuary and
carving.
The east and west fronts OF the build
ing depend for their ornamentdtion
chiefly upon a row of monumental win
dows at the level OF the first floor. These
are ornamented entablatures and pedi-
ments supported by consoles above an or
namented architrave. The same ordi-
nance is continued along the north front,
except the center. where there is a semi
circular projection with a colonnade OF
free-standing columns corresponding 10
those OF the south front The pavilions
at the corners are decorated with pedi
ments supported by columns OF the same
kind. The whole is surmounted by an
attic story which will be crowned by
rich chineau carved in stone.
The dome and lantern is entirely of
stone. the dome proper resting on drum
which is fortified by projecting buttress-
like structures. which are decorated with
pilasters and other architectural features.
In the drum are eight large windows in
the form of arches standing between the
buttresses above described. Above the
entabIature are eight highly ornamented
tablets surmounted by pediments. The
dome proper is pierced with numerous
apertures, giving it the appearance of
open-work construction, all of which Will
be self-sustaining without the use of
iron. The lantern, which is also entirely
of stone and OF very rich design will he
supported by sixteen ribs of brick, which
are concealed by the covering of :the
dome.
Inside the building the rotunda will oc-
cupy a central position under the dome.
This is to have double walls, between
which are four flights of stairs TO give
access to the upper story. The rotunda
is about sixty feet In diameter at the
level of the first floor, and above that at
the second floor is about eighty feet in
diameter. The innermost of the walls
which inclose Ii ia pierced at this level
by openings, forming circular arcade.
Pilasters start at this level and support
the main interior entablature, above
which rises the inner, which will be dec
GRATED with relief work in plaster and
papier mache.
The senate and house OF representatives
are respectively to the east and west of
the rotunda. These are semi-circular in
form and although of the same size there
will be much less room in the senate than
in the chamber OF the house. owing to
the architectural embellishments OF the
former whish consist of a semi-t\Tcular
colonnade of Corinthian' columns about
twenty-five feet high. The architect hopes
that the appropriation will admit OF the
constructing OF the entire interior of tho
senate chamber in stone; If not, the work
is to be done in plaster.
The chamber OF the supreme court is
circular in form. and is located on the
main transverse axis of the building. The
room is about forty feet in diameter. and
extends through two stories. II VIII have
an elaborate ceiling Of raised plaster
work. and the side walls will be orna-
mented with panels OF the same material.
The Judges rooms are conveniently To-
Gated with respect to the court room. all
being on the first floor and communicate
ing with one or the two longitudinal cor
ridors. which traverse the building from
east to west. -Four similar corridors cross
the latter at right angles. Separating the
senate and the house from the rotunda
ana the former from the Offices which
skirt the outer walls Of the building.
The governors suite is in the southeast
corner and occupies one OF the pavilions
before mentioned. II consists of a very
handsome reception room with windows
on three sides. private Offices. etc.
The second floor Is given up entirely 10
Offices and 70 the upper part Of the main
halls OF the building.
With the exception OF the library room.
the third floor is unailotted 20 any pur-
pose and is TO afford room for future re-
Quirements. The library occupies the
center of the north front. and extends
over tire supreme court and Judges rooms
all OF which communicate with IL hy
means OF book lifts. There Will ha ar-
commodations for about -, 600 volumes.
The entire basement is appropriated 70
committee rooms. etc. connected With the
legislative departments.
-it. 4aEE says NHe pest View o. the new
building Will be afforded from the water
and from the bridge which connects the
east and west portions OF the town From
here X viii present a very imposing an
pearance. as its entire length will he IN
fun view. as IL stands on n r,lafear1 ete-
waited about 80 feet above the water On a
projecting promontory. The problem Of
placing the building so that II would show
20 the best advantage was very difficult,
one. hut the present location seems to
combine all advantage. In addition n
the long side being toward the water. the
senl-circular colonnsde will secure a good
play OF light and shade in the portiCo 10
the south
one OF the features OF the new building
viii b the lavish use OF stone. The dome
and lantern will he entirely OF stone. and
viii form the only one Of the kind IN the
United States. The ro'unda inside viii
also be OF stone. as viii 10 the main en-
trance while stone viii be used extensive
y ~ trim the interior. II viii ~ en-
pi0Yed for paving. for wafnscotfnr and for
the castings OF doors and windows. II is
the intention 20 make the building abso-
lutely freproof. and 20 that end wood viii
be avoided
The reason for the extensive use OF stone
is that - can he obtained ~ n low figure.
IN many instances. particularly n the case
Of stafrcases. II costing less than iron II
car be delivered on the ground for Il cents
rso~ cubic foot. while in New York t.e
same material would cost 81 - per cubic
foot unasl3vered. The stone 70 Re usesl
i~ shs. hsrfIt7gssr will Cosra from rTen}uo