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Charles “Buddy” Greenwell III in front of “The Box.”
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: "The Box"

By Kate Holder
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Behind the Scenes Cool Tools: "The Box" What Began as a Demonstration for Kids Is Now a Unique Training Tool Across the Capitol campus, Architect of the Capitol (AOC) electricians are on constant alert to respond to emergency events and power outages that can disrupt electrical systems at any time. House Office Buildings …
What Began as a Demonstration for Kids Is Now a Unique Training Tool
Person standing in an aisle between shelves.
Behind the Scenes

Article

AOC Experts Keep it Cool for Historic Preservation Efforts

By Madeleine Lucchetti
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By Madeleine Lucchetti | May 7, 2024 Behind the Scenes AOC Experts Keep it Cool for Historic Preservation Efforts When it comes to preserving the Library of Congress' (LOC) record-breaking collection of more than 175 million items — including books, historical materials and cultural artifacts — the Architect of Last summer, as temperatures rose across Washington, D.C., the LOC …
When it comes to preserving the Library of Congress' record-breaking collection of more than 175 million items — including books, historical materials and cultural artifacts — the Architect of the Capitol staff plays an instrumental role in keeping things cool.
A five-pointed star was cut within seconds by the Architect of the Capitol Sheet Metal Shop.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: Plasma Cutting Machine, a Matter of Precision

By Kate Holder
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By Kate Holder | March 10, 2020 Behind the Scenes Cool Tools: Plasma Cutting Machine, a Matter of Precision This computer numerical control (CNC) plasma cutter is a cool tool on the U.S. Capitol campus. It allows the Sheet Metal Shop to cut parts, components and signage that it could never before do Whatever the task, tools are essential to our work at the …
It generates temperatures of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more and accelerates to nearly the speed of sound.
History & Discoveries

Article

Cool Tools: A Tuning Fork?

By Franklin Bradley
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By Franklin Bradley | March 10, 2016 History & Discoveries Cool Tools: A Tuning Fork? Tuning forks are frequently used by musicians to adjust their instruments. So why does the Architect of the Capitol have one – and what makes it cool? Montgomery C. Meigs used this tuning fork during As the temperature cooled down this winter, we asked Architect of the Capitol …
As the temperature cooled down this winter, we asked Architect of the Capitol (AOC) employees to join a hot (and friendly) competition – AOC Cool Tools – and share the cool tools they use to get their jobs done. Every employee, in every job we do, uses tools, from a crane that lifts heavy loads to
Russell Jones of the AOC Construction Division demonstrates a cool tool for applying grout to the Olmsted wall.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: Squaring Off With History

By Franklin Bradley
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By Franklin Bradley | December 1, 2016 Behind the Scenes Cool Tools: Squaring Off With History A special tool helps our stone masons repair and replace the mortar in the low stone walls lining Capitol Square. Many of the tools we use around the Capitol campus are unique, historic and essential to our mission — in other words, they are cool tools! We asked …
Many of the tools we use around the Capitol campus are unique, historic and essential to our mission — in other words, they are cool tools! We asked employees to tell us about their coolest tools, and this feature represents our latest find. In 1873, Congress commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted to
Hand using equipment.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: On the Cutting Edge

By Lisa Maltbie
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By Lisa Maltbie | June 17, 2016 Behind the Scenes Cool Tools: On the Cutting Edge The U.S. Capitol jurisdiction has introduced a new auto brake machine which offers an unprecedented capacity to bend metal. Electronically stored diagrams also save precious time that was previously Every one of us at the Architect of the Capitol, in every job we do , uses …
Every one of us at the Architect of the Capitol, in every job we do, uses tools to serve, preserve and inspire. Many of the tools we use here are unique, historic and essential to our mission—in other words, they are cool tools! We asked employees to submit their coolest tool, and this feature
The Capitol Materials Cart being shown to visitors in Emancipation Hall.
Programs & Events

Article

Cool Tools: Capitol Materials Cart

By Erin Courtney
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By Erin Courtney | June 5, 2019 Programs & Events Cool Tools: Capitol Materials Cart The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting. The cart's trays allow Capitol visitors to see and touch The United States Capitol doesn't just rely on its impressive architecture and …
The new U.S. Capitol Materials Cart Program showcases a variety of AOC trades, including masonry, sheet metal, paint and wood-crafting.
The Snow Rodeo training exercise on a new piece of snow removal equipment, the Ditch Witch SK600 mini skid steer
Behind the Scenes

Article

Cool Tools: The Ditch Witch

By Erin Courtney
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Behind the Scenes Cool Tools: The Ditch Witch This year's snow removal training exercise included a friendly competition between offices and jurisdictions on a new piece of equipment. Well before winter, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) prepares snow equipment, procures rock salt and ice melt supplies, and reviews the …
Well before winter, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) prepares snow equipment, procures rock salt and ice melt supplies, and reviews the emergency and essential personnel snow response plans. And with good reason. Clearing snow around the Capitol complex in January 2018. The AOC is responsible for
Two people looking at a control panel.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Ducts in a Row

By Madeleine Lucchetti
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Looking Ahead The HVAC team's work could be traced back to 1935, when Congress first approved funds for "chilled water" equipment that could create basic air conditioning to cool campus buildings. This was before personal computers, wi-fi, cellular technology or the expansion of amenities like dining services and exercise facilities — elements modern HVAC mechanics must consider every day. While their work looks quite different today — there's less climbing around HVAC closets …
The experts at the House Mechanic Shop meticulously oversee campus HVAC systems, ensuring building temperatures are optimal for both daily operations and historic preservation.
Leaves and sky.
History & Discoveries

Article

Leaves of Green: Capitol's Mature Trees Offer Big Payouts

By Madeleine Lucchetti
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These "eco-benefits" are instrumental in telling the story of the campus canopy. They can estimate cost savings related to storm water runoff, carbon capture — also known as sequestration — and cooling effects. With this knowledge, the team can make informed decisions about new plantings and care for older ones. Findings show that mature trees provide the most significant benefits. Side-by-side analyses of two white oaks, one mature and one young, demonstrated that the mature tree offered nearly 40 …
This Arbor Day, we celebrate the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team's continued efforts to preserve and protect Olmsted's legacy — one of longstanding stewardship that's paying off every day.
Path in trees.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Arboretum in the City

By Carol Campos
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Tree database software is used to develop an "eco-benefits" report of the arboretum's tree canopy to interpret cost savings the canopy provides due to storm-water runoff, carbon sequestration and cooling effects. "It literally pays to preserve our mature trees and do what we can to help them thrive in the landscape for as long as possible," said Westbrook. The team of arborists take their preservation role seriously and only prune or remove trees based on tree health and risk. Pruning is one …
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.
View of a pagoda tree on the north side of the U.S. Capitol.
Public Notice

Article

Living On, The Olmsted Way

By AOC Staff
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"Imagine kindergartners enjoying an outdoor lesson sitting on a piece of landscape history right here in our nation's capital... it's just a cool way to pass on the Capitol Hill legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted," said Kaufmann. Westbrook agreed, "I think it is fitting that a new generation may get the opportunity, during the 200th anniversary of Olmsted's birth, to learn about the critical relationship between trees and a healthy urban …
Two original Olmsted trees will be removed for safety reasons this spring.
Mario Murgueitio and Ron Pfeiffer, both Pipefitters with Capitol Grounds, demonstrate how to use a mulch blower attachment to fill silt socks with mulch.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Mulch Blower Extraordinaire

By Cristin O'Brien
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The socks can also be used for temporary drop inlet protection to filter the runoff before it enters the sanitary sewer system." As Capitol Grounds employees watched the silt sock demonstration on that sunny morning, it was evident that the new mulch blower goes beyond just being a cool tool — it saves money, helps preserve the cultural landscape, can prevent potential impacts to infrastructure and increases productivity. Jim Kaufmann, Director of Capitol Grounds, said "Our mission requires us to be efficient. The multi-use truck along with a multi-use attachment is like the Swiss Army …
On a sunny morning, employees from Capitol Grounds and Arboretum gathered to see a demonstration of a new tool and hear about its benefits.
A/C Equipment Mechanic Horatio Evans tests for signal across two wires with a digital multimeter while troubleshooting air handling unit controls.
Behind the Scenes

Article

Retro-Commissioning: Big Energy Savings For Big Buildings

By AOC Staff
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Retro-commissioning can help improve a building's operation and maintenance procedures by identifying and correcting problems, such as: Equipment that is operating when it may not be needed Systems that are simultaneously heating and cooling the same spaces Belts and valves that are malfunctioning Thermostats and sensors that are out of calibration Air balancing systems that are less than optimal Many of these small operations and control improvements cost little or nothing to implement yet can have big energy saving impacts. As an …
The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) commitment to energy conservation and sustainability has resulted in a reduction of energy use by almost 50 percent across the Capitol campus since 2003. The agency continues to look for ways to build on those efforts as it works toward achieving reductions
Behind the Scenes

Article

One Team, One Energy Reduction Mission

By Laura Condeluci
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The Rayburn House Office Building needed a new roof, and in FY 2011, the AOC took the opportunity to make the new roof a cool roof. A cool roofing system helps reduce the amount of cooling needed in the summer because it reflects light instead of absorbing it. This means that less heat is transferred into the building below, which helps keep the interior spaces cooler — and that equates to cost savings. The U.S. Capitol is one …
A 30 percent reduction in energy consumption is a major accomplishment. Take a look back at how we got there, and find out where we're going.