In 1995, A&E Architects was selected to lead the renovation of the Montana State Capitol in Helena. Completed in 2000, the $26M project addressed the deterioration of the exterior envelope, a comprehensive upgrade to the building systems (including technology), the reorganization of internal functions to be more compatible with the historic architecture, and the restoration of the original detailing and authenticity that was lost through a series of insensitive remodels.

Constructed from 1899 - 1902, the completed building showed the influence of the 1893 Columbian Exposition, whose classical buildings had launched a movement that called itself the "American Renaissance" in architecture. In the first years after its completion, the Capitol building housed all of Montana's state offices. Growth of the state's government in those years led to the addition of complementary wings to the original building in 1909 - 1912.

The exterior integrity of the building remained largely intact. However, the interior had undergone many non-historic changes. Most of the decorative painting was removed from the rotunda in the 1930's. In the mid-sixties the barrel vault over the main stairs in the rotunda was eliminated as well as the chandeliers in the main legislative areas, and the rest of the office spaces along the side halls were stripped of decoration. However, despite the loss of some of its original architectural integrity, the Capitol remains the center of state government, housing the state's main executive and legislative bodies. It also remains the state government's visual centerpiece, overlooking the buildings and landscaped lawns of the Capitol complex.

Spanning a total of four years, this project exemplifies the strength of A&E's project management capability as well as our ability to work smoothly in a highly-charged political atmosphere. The design team was charged with building consensus among varied and often competing stakeholders with regard to priorities and budgets. Today's function and spatial requirements are vastly different from the original design and space in the building is severely limited.

Much of the restoration work required research and forensic efforts to confirm the historic context as well as technical specialists to achieve proper results. A&E orchestrated a large team of consultants and craftsmen in addition to the normal building trades.

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MONTANA STATE CAPITOL