Architect of the Capitol

 
Capitol Campus Architecture

Designed from the outset to house the United States Congress, the Capitol was a bold experiment in a new nation. The building has been enlarged and modified over the years, and it contains some of the most important spaces in American history and architecture.

As the Capitol Campus has been expanded, new buildings have reflected the taste and values of their time, offering the latest amenities available while retaining a connection to the Capitol's neoclassical forms.

 
The United States Capitol
U.S. Capitol Dome thumbnail

DomeThe cast-iron dome of the United States Capitol, constructed between 1855 and 1866, may well be the most famous man-made landmark in America. It is such a fitting finale for the building it crowns, so familiar and dignified, that it seems surprising that its design and construction came late in the Capitol's architectural evolution. Only the marble west front terraces (1884-1892) and the east front extension (1958-1962) are more recent additions to the Capitol than its dome.

Capitol Rotunda Thumbnail

Rotunda—The Rotunda is a large, domed, circular room located in the center of the Capitol on the second floor. It has been used for ceremonial functions, such as the unveiling of statues, inaugurations, and the lying in state of distinguished citizens. Its lower walls hold historic paintings, and a frescoed band, or "frieze," depicting significant events in American history rings its upper walls. The Rotunda canopy, a 4664-square-foot fresco painting entitled The Apotheosis of Washington, depicts the first President of the United States rising into the clouds in glory.

Old Senate Chamber Thumbnail

Old Senate Chamber—This semicircular, half-domed chamber, located north of the Rotunda, was occupied by the Senate between 1810 and 1859. After the Senate moved to its present chamber, this room was used by the Supreme Court from 1860 until 1935.

Old Supreme Court Chamber Thumbnail

Old Supreme Court Chamber—Until 1935, the Capitol housed the Supreme Court of the United States as well as the Congress. This semicircular, umbrella-vaulted room, located north of the Crypt, was used by the Court between 1810 and 1860.

Capitol Crypt Thumbnail

Crypt—On the Capitol's first floor is the Crypt, which lies beneath the Rotunda and dome directly above. Despite its name, the Crypt has never been used for funerary purposes; it serves today for the display of sculpture.

Hall of Columns thumbnail
Hall of Columns—The Hall of Columns is a dramatic, high-ceilinged corridor over 100 feet long on the first floor of the Capitol's House wing. It takes its name from the 28 fluted, white marble columns that line the corridor. Since 1976, the hall has housed part of the National Statuary Hall Collection.
National Statuary Hall Thumbnail
National Statuary Hall (The Old Hall of the House)—The House of Representatives first occupied this space south of the Rotunda in 1809 and used it as their meeting room for almost 50 years. In 1857 the House moved to its present chamber, and in 1864 Congress invited each state to contribute two statues of prominent citizens to a for permanent display in the room, which was renamed National Statuary Hall. Today it houses part of the National Statuary Hall Collection.
Section of West Corridor -- thumbnail
The Brumidi Corridors—The vaulted, ornately decorated corridors on the first floor of the Senate wing are called the Brumidi Corridors in honor of Constantino Brumidi, the Italian artist who designed the murals and the major elements. Brumidi first painted at the Capitol in 1855, and he spent much of the next 25 years until his death in 1880 decorating the building's rooms and corridors.
Thumbnail of Minton Tiles
Minton Tiles—The richly patterned and colored tiled floors are one of the most striking features of the extensions of the United States Capitol. Architect Thomas U. Walter chose encaustic tile for its beauty, durability, and sophistication.
Small Senate Rotunda

The Small Senate Rotunda—The small rotunda in the old Senate wing of the Capitol was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe as an ornamental air shaft. It was constructed after the fire of 1814 as a means of lighting the corridors and circulating air into rooms that open onto the space.

Small House Rotunda

The Small House Rotunda—The Small House Rotunda is one of the most architecturally significant spaces in the Capitol. It was designed in 1804 by architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe during his first building campaign after he was appointed by Thomas Jefferson to construct the south wing of the Capitol.


The Congressional Office Buildings
House Office Buildings
Senate Office Buildings
Architect of the Capitol | Washington, DC 20515
Home | Employment | Contact AOC | Privacy Statement