New York State Capitol Building
Solution

New York State Capitol Building

Albany, NY

Service: Building Enclosure Investigation, Building Enclosure Rehabilitation
Market: Government
Keywords: Award Winning, Condition Assessment, Construction Administration, Historic, Industrial Rope Access, Masonry, Masonry-Terra Cotta, Metal, Metal-Copper, National Register of Historic Places, Preservation Technology , Roofing, Skylight, Stair, Stone-Granite, Stone-Slate, Water Leakage

Client

New York State Office of General Services Design & Construction

Completion

2012

Awards

2013 Best Safety Project, Engineering News Record
2013 Best Government/Public Building Project, Engineering News Record
2007 Preservation Merit Award, Historic Albany Foundation
2004 Gold Circle Award, National Roofing Contractors Association
2003, 2007, and 2013 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award, Preservation League of New York State
2003 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award, Preservation League of New York State
2003 Best of Hudson Valley, Best Interior Lighting, Hudson Valley Magazine
New York State Capitol Building
New York State Capitol Building
New York State Capitol Building

The New York State Capitol was designed by a succession of architects, including H.H. Richardson and Leopold Eidlitz. Constructed in stages between 1870 and 1900, the building features Second Empire and Richardsonian Romanesque elements. Sporadic repair and maintenance to address leakage were ineffective due to improper diagnosis and difficult access. The monumental Assembly, Senate, and Great Western staircases architecturally define public spaces, but lost prominence over time as neglect and modifications marred their appearance. SGH assessed the building enclosure and developed a multi-phase plan to restore the iconic government building.

Scope | Solutions

SGH performed a condition assessment, investigated leakage, and developed a rehabilitation program for the building featuring granite ashlar walls; slate, granite, and clay tile roofs; granite dormers; ornamental terra-cotta roof elements; and elaborate skylights. We led a team of architects and engineers to design comprehensive exterior enclosure repairs and develop plans to restore several interior areas. Highlights of the rehabilitation project include the following:

  • Restoring the Senate and Assembly Stairs (before and after pictured bottom right) and the laylight and skylight over the Great Western Stairs (pictured upper left)

  • Repairing ornamental terra-cotta and stone

  • Replacing copper, tile, and slate roofing

  • Restoring interior finishes

As part of our work, SGH conducted material testing, reviewed mockups to compare construction with project requirements, and performed on-site water testing of repairs.

Project Contact(s)

Susan Knack-Brown

Susan Knack-Brown

Nik Vigener

Niklas Vigener

In testament to the team’s collaboration, execution, planning, and tenacity, the project was completed two months ahead of the accelerated schedule and more than 20 months ahead of the original deadline. Without decreasing scope, taxpayers saved approximately $2.4 million.