Kansas Statehouse Preservation & Restoration

Completed in 1903, the Kansas Statehouse is more than a public monument; it also houses the offices of the governor, state legislators, and support staff. To restore the building’s grandeur and expand its footprint, we worked with legislative leaders to complete a 14-year, multi-phased restoration project, initiated with a historic structure report and preservation master plan. Inside, we prioritized restoring historic spaces, such as the Senate Chamber, House of Representatives Chamber, Old Supreme Court Chamber, State Library of Kansas, and other public areas. We restored historic materials like marble, plaster, metalwork, and skylights; incorporated new security, life safety, and building code improvements; and seamlessly integrated energy-efficient lighting and MEP systems. Outside, we replaced the copper roof and dome and restored four types of limestone and granite masonry dating back 50 to 100 years.

Where possible, we reused original materials to reduce waste and minimize costs. Any new materials used were selected based on renewable or recyclable content, durability, cost, and ability to complement or replicate original detailing.

The restoration of this monument significantly impacted the people who work there, the community at large, and the state economy. After the project was completed in January 2014, tourism rates increased by 72% over the next year.