Period
1867-1899
New York State Capitol: Assembly Chamber Report
Location
Albany, New York
Notables
National Historic Landmark
HISTORICAL LEGACY
Dedicated in 1879, The New York State Assembly Chamber was a magnificent architectural and decorative ensemble. The architect, Leopold Eidlitz, designed not only the space with its massive, ribbed sandstone groin vaults, but also the draperies, carpet, upholstery, painted decoration, lighting, and furniture.
A few years after the Chamber was opened, the stone vaults began to fail. As a result, the central vaults were removed, and a lowered coffered ceiling was installed, completely changing the character of the space and obscuring the murals.
Leopold Eidlitz
PROJECT OVERVIEW
MCWB created a feasibility study that aimed to restore the Assembly Chamber to its original, grand configuration. Elements included incorporating the latest climate control and technology communication systems. Because new stone vaulting could not be self-supporting, a steel structure was designed to support porous, sound-absorbing cast stone blocks replicating the original stones. These blocks would also alleviate the severe acoustical problems of the original space.
