Nebraska State Captitol Restoration

Constructed in four phases over ten years from 1922-1932, the Nebraska State Capitol is constructed of Indiana limestone and is a National Historic Landmark. This capitol building was the nation’s first statehouse design to radically depart from the prototypical form of the nation’s Capitol and to use an office tower.

RRJ was retained by the local restoration architect, working for the GSA to restore the capitol building, to provide consulting and field testing services to assess the air leakage rates associated with the various configurations of the existing windows at the Capitol Building.

The testing program consisted of five window openings in the building facade. According  to the window shop drawings, the original design was completed between 1923 and 1930, and the building construction was complete by  1932.  The window frames, subframes, and sashes are made of cold-formed steel. Hardware for all of the windows tested is typically made from brass.

RRJ’s scope involved:

• Review of the architectural drawings and details pertaining to the existing windows
• Site observation and documentation of the existing conditions of exterior and interior surfaces of the windows and adjoining wall surfaces
• Perform air infiltration tests at five designated windows locations and summarize in a report
• Provide consultation, while on-site, to potential details for remedial repairs at the windows