Our Blog

Millions of Americans volunteer every year, but few feel compelled to form their own organization. This doing good story is of an Architect of the Capitol employee who saw a problem in his community that had no solution, so he created one by starting his own non-profit.

We are all an assembly of parts, pieces and life experiences, and we bring those experiences to the things we do every day.

A 30 percent reduction in energy consumption is a major accomplishment. Take a look back at how we got there, and find out where we're going.

Meigs was notorious for seizing opportunities to get his name inscribed on any items related to these monumental projects that he could. Recently, another permanent signature was discovered.

This passionate group of Architect of the Capitol employees aims to improve biking conditions around the U.S. Capitol campus in Washington, D.C. Recently, their efforts led to the League of American Bicyclists designating AOC as a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business.

It wasn't planned at the time, but the 1793 cornerstone laying event was the first of what has become a time-honored tradition of incorporating music to mark celebratory and honorary occasions in the Nation's Capital.

To answer this question, we travel to a brick building in Vienna, Virginia, where the hum of an industrial-sized machine is unmistakable. Littering the fenced-in courtyard of the building are massive slabs of stone of all shapes and colors.

In honor of Mother's Day, explore more women who have played significant roles in the development of our nation and are featured in art at the U.S. Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol maintains the facilities for the Library of Congress, and we actively work as ambassadors for energy reduction within the Library of Congress buildings, while helping maintain their invaluable and irreplaceable collection of more than 158 million items.

Energy Savings Performance Contracts have assisted the Architect of the Capitol in completing several conservation measures around the U.S. Capitol, House office buildings and Senate office buildings. These ESPCs were an important element in our strategy to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent.

Our nation's third president has his successes, as well as himself, memorialized in more than 10 pieces of art in the U.S. Capitol Building.

The Senate Jurisdiction's emphasis on energy-efficient lighting was integral to meeting our agency-wide energy reduction goal.

There are more than 20 water features that Architect of the Capitol cares for. Spanning across the U.S. Capitol campus, each of the House office buildings, Senate office buildings, Library of Congress buildings, Supreme Court buildings and the U.S. Botanic Garden have some type of fountain or pool.

A new technology now allows waterlines to remain filled while workers install a new valve. By deploying this construction best practice, the Cannon Renewal Project will save a tremendous amount of natural resources, require less manpower and result in savings to the American taxpayer.

The Architect of the Capitol's approach to sustainability and energy efficiency on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., is built upon three defining elements: buildings, infrastructure and people. We are very proud of our recent accomplishment of 30 percent energy reduction.