Connecting Old and New—Idaho State Capitol Building

The Idaho State Capitol building is expanding while undergoing its comprehensive restoration. The expansion requires the former basement to become a fully accessible subterranean Garden Level with multiple entry points and lots of daylight. The original Capitol has porticos that extend beyond the east and west ends of the load-bearing walls. In order to minimize damage to the historic porticos, the Capitol restoration team decided to connect the existing Capitol with the new expansion wings through a common corridor. The only obstacles were two columns that bore 60,000 lbs per square inch each and ran up through the fourth floor. Steel designed to assume this load can now support up to 190,000 per square inch.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Idaho
• State
• Capitol
• Building
• Statehouse
• Legislature