Preserving an Architectural & Artistic Treasure

Project Background

• Italian Renaissance-style statehouse described by President Teddy Roosevelt as “the handsomest State Capitol I ever saw”
• Capitol’s vaulted dome rises 272 feet and weighs 52 million pounds
• Building contains a large collection of priceless historical artwork
• Leaks through the building’s peristyle decks had been documented as early as the 1950s
• MPS was commissioned to determine where water was entering the building and what should be done to stop the water infiltration; MPS then implemented a pilot phase to set the quality standard for the repairs and prove the efficacy of the preservation approach

Project Challenges

• Asphalt membrane below the decks’ massive granite pavers was keeping water trapped in the system
• Granite pavers needed to be removed and reinstalled in order to access and remove the brick masonry and asphalt membrane; areas had to remain watertight throughout this process
• Significant structural modifications were required to stabilize the large granite deck and facade stone panels and the concrete and masonry sub-structure, including the use of custom stainless steel and Cintec grouted anchors
• Building needed to remain fully operational during restoration process; work area was extremely confined, limiting project progress

Project Approach

• Extensive scaffolding and netting/protection was installed to safely access work areas and protect lower Ludowici tile roofs
• Granite pavers were moved out of the work area, and new reinforced concrete beams and curbs were installed
• A new lead-coated copper roof was installed over the pavers; roof had to mimic the decorative profiles of existing stone walls and column bases
• The new anchorage system was used to structurally bolster the masonry wall assemblies and prevent overturning
• The ornamental granite balustrudes just above the pavers were also disassembled and restored as part of the peristyle deck restoration