CSHQA is pleased to announce that the Idaho State Capitol Restoration received an Award of Merit for Historic Preservation at the recent Northwest and Pacific Region AIA Design Awards in Tokyo, Japan on November 15, 2011.
After a century of service, use, and countless modifications which eroded the historical character of the building and grounds, the restoration brought the 200,000-sf building back to its former grandeur by restoring historical elements, preserving existing materials, and rehabilitating spaces for contemporary uses. As the largest, building-related public works endeavor in state history, it was challenged to upgrade and install all new infrastructure systems and address life safety and accessibility while retaining the historic building fabric. Along with the exterior and interior restoration, two new five-story stair and elevator towers were incorporated within the existing building footprint to provide emergency egress and allow for improved building access. Life safety and accessibility required the seamless integration of fire suppression and alarm systems and new accessible restrooms throughout.
The former dark and dreary basement has been transformed into a light-filled public entry and education center. Two new 25,000 SF underground buildings expand this basement to provide additional meeting space for legislators, staff and citizens while retaining the historical look and feel of the Capitol. BD+C
Related Stories
| May 25, 2011
Low Impact Development: Managing Stormwater Runoff
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES HSW/SD learning units by studying this article and successfully passing the online exam.
| May 25, 2011
Register today for BD+C’s June 8th webinar on restoration and reconstruction projects
Based on new and award-winning building projects, this webinar presents our “expert faculty” to examine the key issues affecting project owners, designers and contractors in case studies ranging from gut renovations and adaptive reuses to restorations and retrofits.
| May 25, 2011
Hotel offers water beds on a grand scale
A semi-submerged resort hotel is the newest project from Giancarlo Zema, a Rome-based architect known for his organic maritime designs. The hotel spans one kilometer and has both land and sea portions.
| May 25, 2011
Smithsonian building $45 million green lab
Thanks to a $45 million federal appropriation to the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Md., has broken ground on what is expected to be one of the most energy-efficient laboratories in the country. The 69,000-sf lab is targeting LEED Gold and is expected to use 37% less energy and emit 37% less carbon dioxide than a similar building.
| May 25, 2011
World’s tallest building now available in smaller size
Emaar Properties teamed up with LEGO to create a miniature version of the Burj Khalifa as part of the LEGO Architecture series. Currently, the LEGO Burj Khalifa is available only in Dubai, but come June 1, 2011, it will be available worldwide.
