El Capitolio, Cuba - Revision history

Editor: Reverted edits by 104.225.176.144 (talk) to last revision by Editor

2021-11-16T15:53:55Z

Reverted edits by 104.225.176.144 (talk) to last revision by Editor

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2021-11-16T15:47:37Z

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Editor at 13:17, 19 March 2021

2021-03-19T13:17:36Z

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	El Capitolio, or the National Capitol Building, is the former seat of government and the most famous landmark in Cuba. Located in Havana, it was completed in 1929 and was the city’s tallest building until the 1950s.		El Capitolio, or the National Capitol Building, is the former seat of government and the most famous landmark in Cuba. Located in Havana, it was completed in 1929 and was the city’s tallest building until the 1950s.

−	The project was started in 1926, under ~~President Mercado's~~ administration, with construction work managed by the American firm Purdy and Henderson, one of several prestige projects funded by a flurry of credit from US banks.	+	The project was started in 1926, under the administration of President Gerardo Machado y Morales, with construction work managed by the American firm Purdy and Henderson, one of several prestige projects funded by a flurry of credit from US banks.

−	By 1933, the country was in a depression, and 22 people were shot dead as they protested against the government outside the building. Historians note that, in the wave of destructive aggression that was sparked by ~~Mercado’s~~ resignation, the building remained unscathed, save for the former-President’s face on the door bas-relief which was scratched out.	+	By 1933, the country was in a depression, and 22 people were shot dead as they protested against the government outside the building. Historians note that, in the wave of destructive aggression that was sparked by Macado’s resignation, the building remained unscathed, save for the former-President’s face on the door bas-relief which was scratched out.

	After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro abolished and disbanded the Congress, and the Capitol building lost its symbolic authority. It became the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and was opened to the public as a museum and library.		After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro abolished and disbanded the Congress, and the Capitol building lost its symbolic authority. It became the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and was opened to the public as a museum and library.
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	The project is said to be painstaking in historic detail - for example, the air handling units will be concealed in custom built cabinets to match the original timber wainscot; and the inner mechanisms of the door locks are being rebuilt as opposed to replacing the original faceplates.		The project is said to be painstaking in historic detail - for example, the air handling units will be concealed in custom built cabinets to match the original timber wainscot; and the inner mechanisms of the door locks are being rebuilt as opposed to replacing the original faceplates.

−	~~It is anticipated that the renovation will be completed during 2017.~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	~~= Find out more =~~	+
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Building of the week series.		* Building of the week series.

Editor: Reverted edits by Frederick Thomas Crowley Jr (talk) to last revision by Designing Buildings

2021-03-19T13:14:11Z

Reverted edits by Frederick Thomas Crowley Jr (talk) to last revision by Designing Buildings

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:14, 19 March 2021
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−	~~The National Capital Building (El Capitolio) was commisioned by then President Gerardo MACHADO (NOT MERCADO as in this article) in April 1926 and completed July 1929.~~
−
−	~~In fact, Gerardo MERCADO is a musical artist on Apple Music. Please correct this article.~~
−
−	~~a simple Google search will confirm this. Thanks~~
−
	[[File:Elcapitolio2.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio2.jpg]]		[[File:Elcapitolio2.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio2.jpg]]

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	* Wainscoting.		* Wainscoting.

−	~~[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]~~ [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Frederick Thomas Crowley Jr at 12:06, 19 March 2021

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 19 March 2021
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		+	The National Capital Building (El Capitolio) was commisioned by then President Gerardo MACHADO (NOT MERCADO as in this article) in April 1926 and completed July 1929.
		+
		+	In fact, Gerardo MERCADO is a musical artist on Apple Music. Please correct this article.
		+
		+	a simple Google search will confirm this. Thanks
		+
	[[File:Elcapitolio2.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio2.jpg]]		[[File:Elcapitolio2.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio2.jpg]]

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	* Wainscoting.		* Wainscoting.

−	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]	+	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Designing Buildings at 08:12, 20 November 2020

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← Older revision		Revision as of 08:12, 20 November 2020
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	* Wainscoting.		* Wainscoting.

−	[[Category:~~International~~]] [[Category:~~Projects_and_case_studies~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Project_Knowledge~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Editor at 16:59, 14 July 2020

2020-07-14T16:59:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:59, 14 July 2020
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	* The White House.		* The White House.
	* US Capitol Building.		* US Capitol Building.
		+	* Wainscoting.

−	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]	+	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]]

Editor at 14:19, 13 April 2017

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	* General Post Office, Dublin.		* General Post Office, Dublin.
	* Palace of Westminster.		* Palace of Westminster.
		+	* Reichstag building.
	* Scottish Parliament Building.		* Scottish Parliament Building.
	* [[St_Pauls_Cathedral\|St. Paul’s Cathedral]].		* [[St_Pauls_Cathedral\|St. Paul’s Cathedral]].

Designing Buildings at 18:20, 1 December 2016

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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	El Capitolio, or National Capitol Building, is the former seat of government and the most famous landmark of Cuba. Located in Havana, ~~the building~~ was completed in 1929 and was the city’s tallest building until the 1950s.	+	El Capitolio, or the National Capitol Building, is the former seat of government and the most famous landmark in Cuba. Located in Havana, it was completed in 1929 and was the city’s tallest building until the 1950s.

−	The project was started in 1926, under ~~the~~ President Mercado administration, ~~and~~ construction work ~~was~~ managed by the American firm Purdy and Henderson~~. The building was~~ one of several prestige projects ~~beginning work at the same time,~~ funded by a flurry of credit from US banks.	+	The project was started in 1926, under President Mercado's administration, with construction work managed by the American firm Purdy and Henderson, one of several prestige projects funded by a flurry of credit from US banks.

−	By 1933, the country was in ~~an economic~~ depression, and 22 people were shot dead as they protested against the government outside the building. Historians note that, in the wave of destructive aggression that was sparked by Mercado’s resignation, the building remained unscathed, save for the former-President’s face on the door bas-relief which was scratched out.	+	By 1933, the country was in a depression, and 22 people were shot dead as they protested against the government outside the building. Historians note that, in the wave of destructive aggression that was sparked by Mercado’s resignation, the building remained unscathed, save for the former-President’s face on the door bas-relief which was scratched out.

−	After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro abolished and disbanded the Congress, ~~causing~~ the Capitol building ~~to lose~~ its symbolic authority. It became the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and was opened to the public as a ~~science~~ museum and library.	+	After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro abolished and disbanded the Congress, and the Capitol building lost its symbolic authority. It became the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and was opened to the public as a museum and library.

	In 2013, a major restoration project was begun, with President Raul Castro surprising many by announcing that upon completion, the Government of Cuba would move back into the building as the home of the National Assembly.		In 2013, a major restoration project was begun, with President Raul Castro surprising many by announcing that upon completion, the Government of Cuba would move back into the building as the home of the National Assembly.
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	[[File:Elcapitolio1.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio1.jpg]]		[[File:Elcapitolio1.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio1.jpg]]

−	The building was designed by architects Raul Otero and Eugenio Rayneri Piedra, who drew inspiration from the US Capitol Building~~, as well as Paris’ Pantheon~~ and Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica. While the building is similar in appearance but smaller than the US Capitol Building, the top of the Capitolio’s dome, reaching a height of 92 m (302 ft) tall, is slightly higher.	+	The building was designed by architects Raul Otero and Eugenio Rayneri Piedra, who drew inspiration from the US Capitol Building and Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica. While the building is similar in appearance but smaller than the US Capitol Building, the top of the Capitolio’s dome, reaching a height of 92 m (302 ft) tall, is slightly higher.

	The cupola was the third highest in the world at the time of its completion. It is stone clad around a steel frame and was imported to Cuba from the United States. The stylised palm leaves that were included on the dome’s original design were never executed.		The cupola was the third highest in the world at the time of its completion. It is stone clad around a steel frame and was imported to Cuba from the United States. The stylised palm leaves that were included on the dome’s original design were never executed.

−	The entrance ‘La Escalinata’, has 55 steps ~~leading up to it,~~ and is flanked on either side by 6.5 m (21 ft) bronze statues by the Italian artist Angelo Zanelli. The central portico measures 36 m (118 ft) wide and ~~over~~ 16 m (52.5 ft) high, beneath which are two rows of ~~six~~ granite Romanesque columns measuring ~~over~~ 14 m (46 ft) tall.	+	The entrance ‘La Escalinata’, has 55 steps and is flanked on either side by 6.5 m (21 ft) bronze statues by the Italian artist Angelo Zanelli. The central portico measures 36 m (118 ft) wide and more than 16 m (52.5 ft) high, beneath which are two rows of granite Romanesque columns measuring more than 14 m (46 ft) tall.

−	Inside the building, 60 different types of marble, sourced from Italy, Germany and ~~around~~ Cuba, are used for flooring, walls and steps.	+	Inside the building, 60 different types of marble, sourced from Italy, Germany and Cuba, are used for flooring, walls and steps.

−	In the main hall, under the cupola, is Zanelli’s bronze Statue of the Republic, covered with 22 carat gold leaf. The statue was cast in Rome and shipped to Havana in three separate pieces. ~~All together, at~~ 15 m (49 ft) tall, it is the third highest indoor statue in the world.	+	In the main hall, under the cupola, Zanelli’s bronze Statue of the Republic is covered with 22 carat gold leaf. The statue was cast in Rome and shipped to Havana in three separate pieces. At 15 m (49 ft) tall, it is the third highest indoor statue in the world.

	[[File:Elcapitolio3.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio3.jpg]]		[[File:Elcapitolio3.jpg\|link=File:Elcapitolio3.jpg]]
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	= Restoration =		= Restoration =

−	~~In 2013, the Government of Cuba began a major~~ restoration ~~project, after which the building will become the home of the National Assembly. The~~ project is reported to cost over $60 million.	+	The restoration project is reported to cost over $60 million. Most of the works involve repairing the bronze statues, lamps, lifts, doors, and so on. The building also needs modern utilities, such as new piping, fibre optic cables, new electrical wiring, air-conditioning systems, security systems, fire alarms, and so on. The exterior requires sandblasting, while the cupola is to be structurally repaired.

−	~~Most of the renovation works involve repairing the bronze statues, lamps, lifts, doors, and so on. As well as this, the building requires modern utilities~~ to be ~~installed such as new piping, fibre optic cables, new electrical wiring~~, air~~-conditioning systems, security systems, fire alarms,~~ and ~~so on. The exterior requires sandblasting, while~~ the ~~cupola is~~ to ~~be structurally repaired~~.	+	The project is said to be painstaking in historic detail - for example, the air handling units will be concealed in custom built cabinets to match the original timber wainscot; and the inner mechanisms of the door locks are being rebuilt as opposed to replacing the original faceplates.

−	The project is said to be painstaking in historic detail, such as air handling units being concealed in custom built cabinets to match the original timber wainscot; and the inner mechanisms of the door locks being rebuilt as opposed to replacing the original faceplates.	+	It is anticipated that the renovation will be completed during 2017.
−		+
−	It is anticipated that the renovation ~~project~~ will be completed during 2017.	+

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Editor at 14:51, 1 December 2016

2016-12-01T14:51:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:51, 1 December 2016
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	The project was started in 1926, under the President Mercado administration, and construction work was managed by the American firm Purdy and Henderson. The building was one of several prestige projects beginning work at the same time, funded by a flurry of credit from US banks.		The project was started in 1926, under the President Mercado administration, and construction work was managed by the American firm Purdy and Henderson. The building was one of several prestige projects beginning work at the same time, funded by a flurry of credit from US banks.

−	By 1933, the country was in an economic depression, and 22 people were shot dead as they protested against the government outside the building. Historians note that, in the wave of destructive aggression that was sparked by Mercado’s resignation, the building ~~was left alone~~, save for the former-President’s face on the door bas-relief which was scratched out.	+	By 1933, the country was in an economic depression, and 22 people were shot dead as they protested against the government outside the building. Historians note that, in the wave of destructive aggression that was sparked by Mercado’s resignation, the building remained unscathed, save for the former-President’s face on the door bas-relief which was scratched out.

	After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro abolished and disbanded the Congress, causing the Capitol building to lose its symbolic authority. It became the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and was opened to the public as a science museum and library.		After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro abolished and disbanded the Congress, causing the Capitol building to lose its symbolic authority. It became the headquarters of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and was opened to the public as a science museum and library.