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By Nancy B. Solomon, AIA

By the1970s, the state legislature was again outgrowing its quarters. A design at that time proposed a terraced addition of offices and parking at the historic south lawn. Sarcastically dubbed "the hanging gardens of Babylon," the concept was met with vociferous public outcry. The state government retreated, making do for many more years by claiming space, in piecemeal fashion, from existing nearby buildings. By the 1990s, however, they were bursting at the seams. Still smarting from the 1970s experience, the client envisioned an addition most likely to the north or west that would connect below grade with the current complex. This new structure was to serve as the new public entrance, among other functions.

So the client was dubious, to say the least, when Skarmeas proposed an underground addition to the south. But the preservation architect had good reasons for entering from this direction: the public would view the building-"the temple on the hill"--as Jefferson had originally intended; the north façade--the only original exterior that had not been significantly altered in over two centuries, would remain undisturbed; existing door and window penetrations hidden under the South Portico stairs could provide access to Jefferson's building without undertaking expensive and potentially risky excavation and underpinning beneath the treasured edifice; and the southern location meant the public entrance could be positioned far away from the historic building and the workings of the state government-a plus in today's security-conscious environment.

The new, fully accessible, 27-000-square -foot extension will include a reception area, gift shop, exhibit space, cafe, restrooms, press room, and additional workspaces for legislature and staff. Parking is relegated to nearby garages, both existing and proposed. And, because the Virginia Capitol is part of a larger campus of state buildings, the architect had the good fortune of being able to put the central plant-with chilled and hot-water generation for both the restored building and its new addition--at a remote location.

Through archival research of drawings, photographs, and other documents plus methods of nondestructive testing-including impulse radar, thermography, metal detection, and dynamic impedance-the project team developed as full a picture as possible of the age and condition of the existing fabric. From this evaluation, they could narrow down the areas that would require more invasive methods to complete the assessment of existing conditions, repair necessary damage, and make necessary upgrades for current needs.

Contrary to the once prevalent belief, the team discovered that much more than the bricks dated back to the Jeffersonian period. Paint analysis of the interior millwork, for example, revealed that much of the trim is original. Much to their regret, however, the architects found no single room in the Jeffersonian structure that had not undergone significant changes. If they had found even one, they may have felt justified in restoring that particular space to Jeffersonian colors and details. Instead, explains Skarmeas, the project team agreed that the date of restoration should be 1906, as that was when the wings were added and the complex reached full maturity. To remind visitors and future generations of the building's rich history, they plan to create in-situ exhibits that give a glimpse into the complex's vast timeline. For example, a section of chair rail may reveal the multiple layers of color applied to it over the two-hundred-year period.

Documentation indicated that the two 1906 passageways on either side of Jefferson's temple had been heavily modified since their initial construction. Because of that-and the fact that they have always served ancillary functions-- they were the most likely candidates for the greatest interventions. The architects efficiently stacked new bathrooms here, which subsequently freed up space in the entry zones of Jefferson's building. New elevators will be inserted on the south side of these zones so that the current elevators on the north can be removed to fully expose the 1906 staircases. New steel balustrades that closely match the 1906 wrought-iron originals will be installed (fabricated from bronze rather than wood, their handrails will be three inches higher to meet code). Skylights will be added at the top of each staircase, reintroducing light that was lost when original windows into the stairwells were sealed in the 1960s.

Skarmeas and his team leave no details to chance. Walking around the building, he points to five-foot-diameter drums filled with concrete that brace exterior scaffolding so that this temporary framing need not be attached to the historic façade. He explains that he didn't need to tell the construction manager in advance to take this important precaution-one of the many anecdotes that Skarmeas shares to exemplify the importance and satisfaction of working with team members who are already sensitized to the unique needs of such a priceless preservation project.