Congress' search for the new Architect of the Capitol continues
A nationwide hunt is underway for a new architect of the Capitol, the federal official in charge of the operations and maintenance of the Capitol complex — the heart of American democracy and in more recent years, dysfunction. A special congressional commission is searching for potential candidates on university campuses and museum boards, and in the military, major transit systems and even theme parks.Congress has retained Reffett Associates to aid in its candidate search for the low six-figure position, which sufficed to say, they see as a “unicorn.” The firm has apparently selected more than twenty candidates thus far, with further help from the AIA. Whoever is hired will oversee 18.4 million square feet of facilities (in addition to a yet-remade Union Station) and more than 2,000 employees. 2023 AIA President Emily Grandstaff-Rice says: “This job requires the skills of an architect, especially in terms of space planning. [But] because you have great access to many decision makers within the government, it’s a people-facing position as well.” Thomas J. Caroll, who served in an acting role before Brett Blanton's tenure, told the New York Times, “Getting away was a great break.”
A nationwide hunt is underway for a new architect of the Capitol, the federal official in charge of the operations and maintenance of the Capitol complex — the heart of American democracy and in more recent years, dysfunction. A special congressional commission is searching for potential candidates on university campuses and museum boards, and in the military, major transit systems and even theme parks.
Congress has retained Reffett Associates to aid in its candidate search for the low six-figure position, which sufficed to say, they see as a “unicorn.” The firm has apparently selected more than twenty candidates thus far, with further help from the AIA. Whoever is hired will oversee 18.4 million square feet of facilities (in addition to a yet-remade Union Station) and more than 2,000 employees.
2023 AIA President Emily Grandstaff-Rice says: “This job requires the skills of an architect, especially in terms of space planning. [But] because you have great access to many decision makers within the government, it’s a people-facing position as well.”
Thomas J. Caroll, who served in an acting role before Brett Blanton's tenure, told the New York Times, “Getting away was a great break.”
