Existing comment:
Commemoration of the Civil War:
To honor the Army and Navy pensioners the building would serve, Meigs developed a decorative program that focused on the military. The exterior frieze, while inspired by the Parthenon's (447-432 BC), honors the Union soldiers of the Civil War. And at the cornice -- otherwise a direct copy of Michelangelo's Renaissance design at the Palazzo Farnese in Rome (1550s) -- Meigs substituted bursting bombs and upright cannons for the fleurs-de-lis and acanthus leaves.
Innovative Design:
Meigs harnessed his extensive engineering experience to create an inviting and heathful work place with:
* Abundant natural light
* Freely circulating fresh air (the passive system was replaced by modern HVAC)
* Easily negotiable stairs initially designed for disabled veterans
* Document tracks to move massive amounts of files around the building (no longer operational). |