Client:  State of Michigan

Location:  Lansing, MI

Completion: 1992

*Work completed while at Architects Four, Inc. 

Project Description:

The Michigan State Capitol Building suffered many atrocities since its completion in 1879.  The intent of the restoration and preservation program was to bring the building back into its former glory, while integrating current technology with tele-data and mechanical, electrical and plumbing services.  The work was split into many packages, the following are the two of which I had the opportunity to be involved.

The Ground Floor Corridor Restoration was originally intended as the armory and storage facility  but was  insensitively converted to office space as need for offices grew. 
 
The restoration offered to maintain the office function but to implement many of the finishes, materals and fixtures as were used in the other office areas while to maintain the a lesser degree of oppulence by virtue of the Ground Floor design.

The Senate Office and Senate Appropriations Commitee Room Restoration was a much greater undertaking.  Argueably the largest atrocity of the anachronistic elements was the integration of  Additional floors which were built in-between the original floors to accomodate more office area.

These offices were wood paneled fished with low ceilings and were highly inappropriate in regards to the original architecture.  The  documentation included removing the interstitial floors and walls to recreate the existing layout and finishes.  Much of the original door and window trim needed to be re-created based on what was left as evidence.
 
The program went from 1987-1992 with the building finally receiving the declaration of a National Historic Landmark on October 7th, 1992.