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What can visitors see and do in summer? Fountains Although the water features maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) are not designed for humans to recreate in, several crowd-pleasing pools of cool are located near the U.S. Capitol including the Capitol Reflecting Pool , Senate Park fountains , the Neptune Fountain and the U.S Botanic Garden's Bartholdi Fountain . Two water features offer drinking fountains for the public: the Summerhouse provides three individual drinking fountains and the …
What can visitors see and do in summer? Fountains Although the water features maintained by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) are not designed for humans to recreate in, several crowd-pleasing pools of cool are located near the U.S. Capitol including the Capitol Reflecting Pool, Senate Park
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Over the last fifteen years the AOC has reduced its energy intensity level by more than 50 percent. As a result of these energy savings, the U.S. House of Representatives building-related carbon footprint has been reduced by 48 percent. The AOC uses Department of Energy (DOE) calculations and tools to validate and track these energy intensity and greenhouse gas emission reductions. These energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions were made possible because of significant project funding support and performance contracting approval from numerous groups including the House Committee on …
2021 The AOC's practices in the design, construction, maintenance and preservation of our nation's cultural assets epitomize sustainable development. We believe that sustainable buildings can be maintained indefinitely and represent the potential for significant resource conservation. The AOC
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His symmetrical design incorporated park-like edging, low walls , lamps, careful placement of trees and simple shrubs, and a series of curved walkways that afforded attractive views of the Capitol. Olmsted later added a brick summerhouse to his design to provide visitors with a drinking fountain and a cool place to rest. The most ambitious aspect of the plan was a new marble terrace that wrapped around the north, south and west facades. Judging the current earthen terrace unacceptable, Olmsted's new design provided a strong visual foundation for the building and additional space for committee rooms and …
Regarded as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) is best known for designing the grounds of New York City's Central Park, the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago
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Exhibit Part 1 Exhibit Part 2 Congress Investigates The power to investigate, implied by the U.S. Constitution, is one of Congress's most important tools for developing effective public policy, conducting oversight, and informing the public. Congress has investigated issues throughout its history via formal investigations and fact-finding inquiries with wide-ranging results, often significantly affecting the history of the United States. Exhibit Part 1 …
Discover the World of Orchids A video guided tour of the orchid show "Discover the World of Orchids," a collaboration between the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) and Smithsonian Gardens. 2020 Orchid Show (Video Series) Related: U.S. Botanic Garden Orchids Gain 600 New Siblings (Blog Story) Exploring
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On December 9, 2019, J. Brett Blanton was nominated to serve as the 12th Architect of the Capitol. On December 20, 2019, the United States Senate confirmed Mr. Blanton, and on January 16, 2020, he was sworn in as Architect of the Capitol by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. In his role as
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The project will improve the functionality of the building for both members and staff, making it far more efficient, comfortable and safer, while retaining the historic grandeur of the building. The renewal project will replace or repair key building systems such as heating, cooling, lighting, plumbing, fire and life safety, accessibility and structural integrity. How long will it take? The renewal project is scheduled to take approximately 10 years, broken into five distinct phases of work. The duration of each phase will align with the congressional move cycles. Work includes …
Why is this work necessary now? This iconic facility, built in 1908, is the oldest congressional office building. The building structure and many of the building systems have not been modernized during the building’s existence. A critical stage has been reached in the life of the Cannon Building –