Stained Glass Window Restoration: The goal of the project was to restore twenty stained and leaded glass windows located at the upper level of the north and south side walls of the Assembly Chamber in the New York State Capitol. Each window consisted of three panels mounted in a wrought and cast-iron frame that were installed in c. 1888. Due to aging and weather exposure, the panels had begun to buckle, lead cames were deteriorated and broken, and portions of the glass had begun to fall out, creating an unsafe condition both for occupants within the Chamber and passers-by on an adjacent street.

Over a three-year period, the leaded glass panels were removed to a conservator’s studio where they were documented and carefully disassembled. Colored glass was cleaned, broken pieces repaired, and missing pieces carefully color matched for replacement. The reconditioned glass was reinstalled in new lead cames, and each panel reinforced to reduce future deflection. New clear safety glass was installed in the original iron frames, which were cleaned and repainted, and the restored leaded glass panels were mounted in new steel frames at the interior to eliminate their exposure to weather conditions. The work was phased over a three year period to be performed during those periods when the Assembly was not in session.

HVAC System Replacement: The project goal was to replace the HVAC system serving the Assembly Chamber in the New York State Capitol while allowing the Chamber to remain available for use by the New York State Assembly. The Chamber was designed by architect Leopold Eidlitz and, with its long-span ribbed sandstone groin vaults and vermilion and ultramarine color scheme with touches of gilding, was recognized as one of the most magnificent public spaces when it was dedicated in 1879. The New York State Capitol is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Structural problems with vaulting materials led to the replacement of the vaulted ceiling with a steel truss supported coffered ceiling.

In the late-1930s, ventilation and air conditioning was introduced to the Chamber from a ducted system installed at the attic level above the Chamber and distributed through the coffered ceiling. By the late 1990s this system had reached the end of its useful service life. Due to the Assembly’s annual meeting schedule, the existing air handling and cooling equipment needed to remain in operation throughout the replacement project.

Following the preparation of a comprehensive pre-design and program report, the decision was made to construct a new mechanical equipment loft within the existing roof trusses above the Chamber. Located approximately twenty feet above the attic floor, the new mechanical loft allowed the existing equipment to remain in service while six new air handlers and ductwork were installed to connect to the existing distribution system through the coffered ceiling to the Chamber. The work included reinforcing the existing attic trusses and installation of a new steel framed floor system for the new mechanical loft. An enclosed fire rated egress stair was constructed at each end of the mechanical loft. An abandoned shaft was used to route new electrical conduits and chilled and heated water supply piping from the basement. Other MEP work included pumps, electric control and power conduits and circuits, and a new sprinkler system and fire pump.

Project services were performed and directed by Robert A. Petito Jr., AIA, Associate with Jacobs/Wyper, while formerly serving as Principal and Project Manager with John G. Waite Associates, Architects, PLLC.