The Future of a Landmark
Michigan State Capitol
Michigan State Capitol
We have a long history with the Michigan State Capitol Commission to implement projects that maintain, restore, and enhance the historic Capitol. All of our work at this National Historic Landmark seeks to cultivate the building’s Victorian character and fabric while improving its function as a seat of government.
We served as the implementing architect on the Capitol’s award-winning restoration in the 1990s. Since then, we have continued to address the building’s ongoing preservation and modernization needs. Our latest efforts are a digital twin for the historic building and a major underground expansion focused on welcoming and serving the Capitol’s 100,000+ annual visitors.
A Victorian Gem
The present Michigan State Capitol building was dedicated in 1879. It was designed by Detroit architect Elijah E. Myers, who went on to design the state capitols of Texas and Colorado. The Capitol’s interior is one of the country’s finest examples of Victorian decorative arts.
Saving the Capitol
After more than a century of service, critics called for the “obsolete” Capitol to be demolished and replaced. A public outcry spurred a massive modernization effort, during which we completed a comprehensive restoration of the building’s exterior and the interior of the Governor’s Wing.
Into the Future
We are advancing historic building information management (HBIM) to the next level through our work with the Capitol by integrating operational information into the model. This new layer of information – a “digital twin” of the building – allows stewards to monitor a variety of metrics in real time, including temperature and humidity levels in areas with especially delicate historic fabric.
National Historic Landmarks
Michigan State Capitol is among the dozens of National Historic Landmarks at which we have completed projects. Administered by the National Park Service, the National Historic Landmarks Program recognizes and protects significant sites that represent outstanding aspects of American history and culture.
