Architect of the Capitol - News, Blogs, Events & Projects

Capitol Building Self-Inspections

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 12:47:46 EDT

Given the impact COVID-19 is having on us all, safety is at the top of most minds these days. Things we used to take for granted like going to the movies, ballpark or grocery store are either nonexistent or take more planning than we're used to.

Things are no different for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). We have adapted to this new environment and continue to evaluate how best to keep our employees safe. While many things have changed in recent weeks, our commitment to safety was present long before our vocabulary expanded to include words like coronavirus, COVID-19 or social distancing.

One of the...

Capitol Visitor Center Employees Find Ways To Give

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 08:47:15 EDT

The coronavirus inspired many of us to wonder what, if anything, we could do to help when it seemed the needs around us were overwhelming. Two Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) employees found a way and are using their skills to make a difference as our communities fight the virus.

Making a Match

Christine Blackerby, the CVC's exhibits curator, and her family are known for seeing a community need and finding a way to fill it. In 2016, they founded the Hyattsville Zombie Run, a 5K race that raises funds for a local school. And every October since, they have hosted this community effort, organizing more than 100 volunteers and welcoming 700 participants...

AOC Offers Family Resources for Distance Learning and Virtual Visits

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 14:00:27 EDT

Stuck at Home? Want to Get Away?

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is delivering virtual Capitol experiences such as field trips, exhibits, videos and student activities to those unable to visit because of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

"Spring is usually the season of class field trips and family vacations to Washington, D.C.," said Architect of the Capitol, J. Brett Blanton. "Today, many schools are closed, and families are staying home. While visitors cannot come to the U.S. Capitol, the Architect of the Capitol is providing resources for families as they adapt to learning from...

Continuous Care of the U.S. Capitol Roof

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 09:04:26 EDT

The roof is the first line of defense against the elements for any building. And the copper roof of the U.S. Capitol — comprising about 200,000 square feet — is particularly vital because of the priceless art, decorative ceilings and the business of democracy housed beneath it.

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Capitol Visitor Center and U.S. Botanic Garden Temporarily Close to Visitors

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:34:07 EDT

UPDATE

The closures of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) and the Conservatory of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) mentioned below have been extended until further notice.

March 12, 2020

Out of an abundance of caution, the CVC and the Conservatory of the USBG will temporarily close to the public until April 1, 2020, to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus (COVID-19). The outdoor gardens and grounds remain open.

Whenever possible, the CVC and the USBG will reschedule public programs and events originally scheduled during the closure period. Please monitor...

Cool Tools: Plasma Cutting Machine, a Matter of Precision

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 09:40:24 EDT

Whatever the task, tools are essential to our work at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), and this latest example of an AOC "cool tool" ranks among the hottest and fastest tools we use.

It generates temperatures of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more and accelerates to nearly the speed of sound. Those extreme but highly controlled conditions allow the tool to cut through metal like a hot knife through butter.

And do so with precision.

The cool tool is a computer numerical control (CNC) plasma cutter. Located in the House Office Building's...

Q&A with J. Brett Blanton, 12th Architect of the Capitol

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 00:00:00 EST

On Thursday, January 16, 2020, J. Brett Blanton was sworn in as the 12th Architect of the Capitol by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. at the U.S. Supreme Court Building.

Q: Why did you want to be the next Architect of the Capitol?

A: To answer this question, I must begin with the mission of the Architect of the Capitol: Serve, Preserve and Inspire. It is the Serve aspect that is most inspiring to me. I...

12th Architect of the Capitol Sworn In

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 09:42:55 EST

On January 16, 2020, J. Brett Blanton was sworn in as the 12th Architect of the Capitol by Chief Justice John Roberts at the United States Supreme Court Building. He was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on December 9, 2019, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 20, 2019.

Blanton most recently served as the Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. He led all planning, design, construction, environmental planning, building permitting and code enforcement for all real property controlled by the Airports Authority in support of the...

John Adams Building Garage Repair

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 13:28:13 EST

The structural concrete at the two horseshoe entrances of the John Adams Building garage has significant corrosion. For the past few years, interim measures have been put in place to extend its life. Unfortunately, some areas have deteriorated to the point where interim measures are no longer an option, and parking cannot be supported.

The John Adams Building Garage Repair will replace structural concrete and waterproofing to extend the life of the garage. The rehabilitation will also include the bronze restoration for the existing light fixtures at the east and west entrance as well as the light fixtures and flag...

2019 Holiday Show Celebrating America's Gardens

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:57:01 EST

The following press release is via the United States Botanic Garden:

This year's annual U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) holiday exhibit, Season's Greenings: America's Gardens, will open Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019, and run through January 5, 2020. The exhibit caps off our year of celebrating the diversity and beauty of the more than 600 public gardens in the United States.

Join us to...