2009—The Architect of the Capitol received the Combined Federal Campaign's Summit Award in recognition for a 59.9% increase in total dollars raised. The AOC also received the Participation Achievement Award for a 49% increase in employee participation.

The Combined Federal Campaign promotes and supports philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

December 4, 2008—In order to achieve the objectives outlined in the AOC’s Strategic Plan for Heritage Asset Stewardship, the AOC developed a set of specifications for a Historic Inventory Database (HPID). The goal of the database was to identify and document the historic buildings, landscapes and architectural features throughout the Capitol Campus and to assess their conditions from a historic preservation and architectural perspective. The database was designed to collect a great deal of data,identify sets of recurring conditions and trends, then establish a set of planning priorities for future preservation efforts. A prototype for the HPID was built by a private A/E contractor, Entech Engineering and the data was gathered in a pilot project at the third floor of the Longworth House Office Building in the spring of 2008.

This effort was recognized by the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the AIA and awarded a Special Citation in the Chapter's 2008 Design Awards Program. Juror comments commended the preservation efforts initiated by the AOC and carried out via the AOC contractor, Entech Engineers, stating the HPID represented a "vital pre-design planning service / exercise that should be required before any historical preservation design phase begins."

April 15, 2008—The Office of the Architect of the Capitol’s (AOC) Capitol Visitor Center project was recognized by the Washington Building Congress with several 2008 Craftsmanship Awards. Teams of skilled tradesmen were recognized for displaying exceptional skill in their fields, including door and hardware fabrication, skylight design and installation, exterior hardscape installation, and stone masonry.

Specifically, the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) project was singled out for the high-quality, professional workmanship throughout the facility by individuals who are “creative, precise, and possess the special skills associated with quality craftsmanship.” These features include the six skylights which allow natural light into the CVC; the custom light fixtures located throughout the CVC and Expansion Spaces that complement the existing fixtures in the Capitol Building; the installation of major hard scape features such as stairs and seat walls, as well as the re-installation of historic elements such as fountains and lanterns on the East Front; and the installation of monumental interior wall stone and marble, and ornamental staircases, doors, and other hardware.

Technical skills of the teams responsible for electrical and fire alarm systems installation, and plaster work were also honored with Craftsmanship Awards.

In addition to the 11 awards presented, several of the winners were extended additional honors with the receipt of two of the three “Star Awards” presented to projects demonstrating the highest level of quality and achieving exceptional visual and technical excellence.

March 14, 2008—The Office of the Architect of the Capitol’s (AOC) West Refrigeration Plant Expansion project at the Capitol Power Plant has been named the winner of the 2007 Project Achievement Award by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), National Capital Chapter. The National Garden received an honorable mention.

The annual Construction Management Project Achievement Awards program recognizes outstanding achievement in the practice of construction management. The awards program is designed to recognize and promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process. Awards are given to those projects that reflect this mission.

The West Refrigeration Plant Expansion Project was recognized along with the Virginia State Capitol Building Renovation project in the category of “projects with a construction value of less than $100 million.”

The National Garden at the U.S. Botanic Garden was also recognized with an honorable mention in the category of “project with construction value of less than $50 million.”

October 17, 2008—The Office of the Architect of the Capitol’s (AOC) West Refrigeration Plant Expansion project at the Capitol Power Plant recently received a National Project Achievement Award from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).

The annual Construction Management Project Achievement Awards program recognizes outstanding achievement in the practice of construction management. The West Refrigeration Plant Expansion Project was recognized as “Best Infrastructure Project with Constructed Value Less Than $100 million.”

Since 1999, CMAA has been presenting its Project Achievement Awards to recognize instances in which professional Construction or Program Management has made a significant contribution to the successful completion of a challenging project or program.

December 19, 2008—The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) has achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum.

Of the nation’s nearly 17,500 museums about 775 are currently accredited. Notably, of several hundred public gardens in North America, the U.S. Botanic Gardenis one of only 19 that have been awarded accreditation.

AAM accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public.

December 19, 2005—The Office of the Architect of the Capitol’s (AOC) West Refrigeration Plant Expansion project at the Capitol Power Plant recently was recognized by Mid-Atlantic Construction magazine as one of the “Best of 2005” as Project of the Year in the Public Works/Facilities category.

The project was recognized, according to Editor-in-Chief Bruce Buckley, as one of the “finest examples of design and construction in the markets throughout the [Mid-Atlantic] region.” The jury awarded projects based on entry criteria including achievement of goals set out by the team, overcoming challenges of the job, and exhibiting extraordinary teamwork and innovative execution. It will be featured in the December 2005 issue of Mid-Atlantic Construction magazine.