2018 Directory

33 Wyoming Capitol Square Project - Update BY SUZANNE NORTON, AIA Wyoming Capitol Square Project Nearing Completion W ith much of the critical infrastruc- ture work complete, the resto- ration of the Wyoming Capitol is now focused on returning historic decorative elements aimed to reestablish the grandeur of the state's architectural treasure. The 130-year-old Capitol desperately needed repair to address dangerous life safety issues and to ensure that the building would be saved for future generations. When closed to the public in December 2015, the Capitol had faulty wiring, serious egress issues, no fire sup- pression system, and exterior stone was falling off the building. However, the entire $299 million project encompasses much more than just the Capitol restoration. Addressing the critical infrastructure needs and code-related issues in the Capitol has reduced useable square footage by about 10,000 square feet. To in- crease public meeting room sizes and relocate office space, the project included the expan- sion and renovation of the Herschler Building and the Capitol Extension, the underground space connecting the Herschler Building to the Capitol. A state-of-the-art central utility plant to more efficiently provide mechani- cal, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems for five Capitol Complex buildings was also included in the project. The project is entering the home stretch. Her- schler East opened to the public in May 2018, and the new central utility plant was operational at that time as well. The construction on Herschler West and the Capitol Extension is underway. Work on the Capitol interior includes drywall, plaster, and painting. The project is slated to open to the public by July 2019. Saving the Capitol The restoration of the Capitol has been a marvel in construction ingenuity to fit modern systems in a historic structure using old world craftsmanship. From inception, the project committed to an innovative design strategy to restore the building's original historic gran- deur while modernizing the building's sys- tems, addressing building code and life safety issues, and increasing public meeting space. Strengthening the Capitol's foundation, 621 mi- cropiles were installed almost 35 feet below the footings in 2017. The process, called underpin- ning, enabled the Capitol’s existing foundations The House gallery lobby on the third floor is coming together as workers install a newmarble check- erboard floor with sunlight streaming in from the restored skylight. The House and Senate gallery lobbies have been opened up with the removal of the non-historic elevators, which will allow for improved egress from the galleries. The elevators have been removed from the historic, monumental corridors and replaced in the new building cores. A new elevator shaft is being installed in the west wing. The eleva- tors have been relocated out of the historic monumental corridors to improve egress from the building and restore the historic spaces. The restoration of the spectacular 1888 trompe l’oeil pattern in the Capitol Rotunda is complete. This style of painting is an art technique that creates an optical illusion that depicted objects exist in three dimensions.