Built between 1785 and 1788, Virginia’s State Capitol remains an historic landmark and the second-oldest working capitol building in the nation. However, its size and outdated infrastructure proved insufficient for today’s government program needs.
Draper Aden Associates, as sub-consultant to RMJM Hillier, provided the Virginia Department of General Services with subsurface utility, civil, and geotechnical engineering, as well as surveying and environmental services. This complex renovation and expansion project involved replacing the Capitol’s critical systems, adding new infrastructure, and creating additional space.
A source of Richmond community pride, the Capitol was in dire need of additional space for visitors. The design team created a new 27,000-square-foot underground visitors’ center, including a grand lobby, café, gift shop, and exhibit space. Draper Aden Associates Principal-in-Charge Jeff Lighthiser, explains the challenge of creating an underground addition to such a delicate structure. “This idea produced the need to create a multifaceted soil retention system in order to stabilize the building. Assuring no impacts on the Capitol’s building face was critical to the project’s success.”
Stormwater management proved to be another key issue around the Capitol and in the surrounding Capitol Square. Beyond the problem of water intrusion into the building, the entire Capitol Square area lacked any sort of stormwater management system. Draper Aden Associates designed a system of perimeter drains around the Capitol, a system of underground piping to capture stormwater in Capitol Square, and a concealed 132,000-gallon underground retention vault.
The Capitol reopened in May 2007, just in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s arrival from England. At the heart of a city rooted in its history, this much needed renovation and expansion will allow the Capitol to serve the Commonwealth for many years to come.
