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Main Corridor above Grand Stair. Photo © Shalom Baranes Associates

along with the most extensive telephone system to date. The last category was the “Renovation” areas,
By intention, the majority of the building was solidly- in which the original elements did not contribute
built but somewhat plain, relieved by noble materials significantly to the overall architectural character of
and more elaborate design in the public and common- the building or were functionally obsolete. This included
use areas. most of the office areas, which, to the credit of the original
A starting point for the modernization project architects and WPA, were intended to be flexible spaces
was to categorize the various areas of the building able to change fairly easily with the times.
into three “zones”—Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Although, in terms of sheer square footage, the
Renovation—with protocols assigned to each. This gave Renovation areas are by far the largest part of the
order to the huge project, and proved important, as the project, SBA noted that “throughout the building,
years went by, in maintaining continuity. original terra cotta tile, limestone and marble walls,
Most of the photographs accompanying this article marble and cork flooring, ornamental metalwork,
are of the “Restoration” areas: the C Street (South) and plaster wall/ceiling finishes were restored.” In
entrance lobby, the 755-seat auditorium, the reading most areas, lighting was returned to its original state,
room of the department library, the secretary’s office except with updated lamping. All spaces were subject
suite, part of the museum, major corridors, and a grand to current accessibility standards, as well as federal
stair. These are the spaces that give the building most standards for blast resistance, which apply mainly to
of its architectural character. Here the goal was to the windows. One area in which the original building
return the spaces to their original 1936 appearance, was tremendously outdated was fire safety. The project
layout, and materials, with modern necessities (e.g., not only included adding sprinklers throughout, but
sprinklers, air conditioning grilles, smoke detectors, also cutting 12 new exit stairways through the existing
and communication/power outlets) incorporated as fabric of the building—one at the end of each 120-foot-
invisibly as possible. long wing.
Next were the “Rehabilitation” areas, where the The initial phase was part of a LEED pilot project
architects determined that there was a bit more design (for LEED for Existing Buildings) which DOI itself
leeway because the spaces were of less significance administered. Among other things, SBA contributed
and/or because modern technological requirements specifications for recycled content of materials,
were so different from the original that true restoration construction waste management, and sustainable wood
simply didn’t make sense. These spaces include the products. The project’s mechanical, electrical, and
secretary’s conference room, the Indian Craft Shop, the plumbing (MEP) engineers, GHT Limited, developed
news/broadcast studio, and the rooftop ice cream parlor. an energy model that was advanced for the time.

INTERIOR MOTIVES 63