Period
1867-1899
New York State Capitol: Assembly Stair
Location
Albany, New York
Notables
National Historic Landmark
HISTORICAL LEGACY
The Assembly Staircase was originally designed by Leopold Eidlitz and constructed in the early 1880’s. The upper area of the staircase under the laylight had been altered with a new floor structure inserted to provide additional office space in the 1950’s. This staircase displays Eidlitz’s theory of color and design in a spectacular expression of painted and stenciled walls that merge with a colored, painted and etched glass laylight of intricate patterns.
Leopold Eidlitz
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The firm was hired in 2006 to undertake the restoration of portions of the Assembly Staircase, and to design a new laylight to replace the great decorative laylight that had been removed in the 1940’s.
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
An extensive investigation of the remaining evidence and historical documentation was undertaken to determine if the laylight could be accurately reconstructed. The study concluded that while there was insufficient evidence to conduct an archaeological reconstruction of the laylight, there was evidence as to the general configuration and probable aesthetic approach to the original design.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
The firm began by redesigning all of the original illustrations that went into the glass part of the laylight. MCWB then reimagined the colorful wall patterns and curated the color palette based on Eidlitz’s original design. The end of the project included designing the reconstruction of the stone balcony that extends across this staircase directly under the laylight.
RESTORATION
The restoration of the Assembly stair demonstrates historic craftsmanship and reimagines lost elements inspired by Eidlitz’s original design. The details of the laylight ceiling, patterned wall and restored stone balcony all come together to bring the staircase back to its former prominence making it a vital part of the New York State Capitol’s architectural history
