Architect of the Capitol: Difference between revisions

Architect of the Capitol

Logo of the Architect of the Capitol
Agency overview
Formed	1793
Jurisdiction	United States Capitol Complex
Headquarters	United States Capitol Washington, DC 20515
Agency executive	Stephen T. Ayers, Director
Website	www.aoc.gov/ www.capitol.gov/

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, and also the head of that agency. The Architect of the Capitol is in the legislative branch and is responsible to the United States Congress.

The current Architect of the Capitol is Stephen T. Ayers. Ayers served as acting Architect of the Capitol since February 2007, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on May 12, 2010, becoming the 11th Architect of the Capitol.

Overview

The Architect of the Capitol sits on the Capitol Police Board, which has jurisdiction over the United States Capitol Police, and on the United States Capitol Guide Board, which has jurisdiction over the United States Capitol Guide Service.

Until 1989, the position of Architect of the Capitol was filled by appointment from the President of the United States for an indefinite term. Legislation enacted in 1989 provides that the Architect is to be appointed for a term of ten years by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from a list of three candidates recommended by a congressional commission. Upon confirmation by the Senate, the Architect becomes an official of the legislative branch as an officer and agent of Congress; he is eligible for reappointment after completion of his term.

Responsibility

Western front of the U.S. Capitol

The Architect of the Capitol is responsible to the United States Congress for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of 17.4 million square feet of buildings and more than 450 acres (180 ha) of land throughout the Capitol Complex. The Architect’s Office is also responsible for the upkeep and improvement of the Capitol Grounds, and the arrangement of inaugural ceremonies and other ceremonies held in the building or on the grounds. Legislation has been enacted over the years to place additional buildings and grounds under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol.

The Capitol Complex includes the following facilities:

• the Capitol
• the Capitol Visitor Center
• the seven congressional office buildings
  • Cannon
  • Ford
  • Longworth
  • Rayburn for the House of Representatives
  • Russell
  • Dirksen
  • Hart for the Senate
• the Library of Congress buildings
• the United States Supreme Court Building
• the United States Botanic Garden
• the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building
• the Capitol Power Plant
• the House and Senate page dormitories
• the United States Capitol Police headquarters and K9 division facilities
• other facilities

Architects of the Capitol

Architect of the Capitol	Term of Office	Deputy Architect	Assistant Architect	Appointing President	Notes
William Thornton	1793	—	—	Washington	Washington selected Thornton's original design for the Capitol.
Benjamin Henry Latrobe	March 6, 1803 – July 1, 1811 April 6, 1815 – November 20, 1817	—	—	Jefferson Madison	Latrobe was appointed twice. President Jefferson appointed him to take over work on the building in 1803 and construction was halted in 1811. During the War of 1812, the Capitol was burned by British troops, prompting President Madison to reappoint Latrobe as Architect of the Capitol and conduct repairs.
Charles Bulfinch	January 8, 1818 – June 25, 1829	—	—	Monroe
Thomas U. Walter (Engineer-in-charge: Montgomery C. Meigs)	June 11, 1851 – May 26, 1865	—	Edward Clark	Fillmore	Walter and Meigs shared responsibility for the Capitol and the construction of its additions.
Edward Clark	August 30, 1865 – January 6, 1902	—	Elliott Woods	A. Johnson
Elliott Woods	February 19, 1902 – May 22, 1923	—	—	T. Roosevelt
David Lynn	August 22, 1923 – September 30, 1954	—	Horace Rouzer (1930-1946) Arthur Cook (1946-1959)	Coolidge
J. George Stewart	October 1, 1954 – May 24, 1970	—	Arthur Cook (1946-1959) Mario Campioli, FAIA (1959-1980)	Eisenhower
George M. White, FAIA	January 27, 1971 – November 21, 1995	—	Mario Campioli, FAIA (1959-1980) William L. Ensign, FAIA (1980-1997)	Nixon	Ensign acted as Architect after White's retirement until a replacement was appointed
Alan M. Hantman, FAIA	January 6, 1997 – February 2, 2007	Stephen T. Ayers, AIA (Deputy: October 2005-February 2007) (Acting Architect: February 2, 2007-May 11, 2010)	Michael G. Turnbull, FAIA (June 1998 – present)	Clinton	Hantman was the first Architect of the Capitol appointed under the legislation passed in 1989 providing for a fixed, renewable ten-year term for the Architects of the Capitol. On August 1, 2006, Hantman announced he would not seek a second term when his term expired in 2007.
Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP	May 12, 2010–Present	Christine A. Merdon, PE, CCM (2011–Present)	Michael G. Turnbull, FAIA (1998–Present)	Obama	Ayers is the second Architect of the Capitol appointed under the legislation passed in 1989 providing for a fixed, renewable ten-year term for the Architects of the Capitol. Ayers was appointed acting Architect of the Capitol from February 2007- May 2010, and unanimously confirmed as Architect of the Capitol May 12, 2010.

See also

• United States Capitol
• United States Congress
• United States Capitol Complex

External links

• Architect of the Capitol