Interfaith Room, U.S. House of Representatives

Architect of the Capitol, 2023-2024 (Architect: Anthony Vannette ; Client: Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives)

As part of the appropriations bill that funded the U.S. government in 2023, Congress directed the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create an interfaith space for congressional staff to use for prayer or meditation, as there were no such facilities on Capitol Hill. Pursuant to this legislative mandate, an existing conference room in the historic Cannon House Office Building (dating to 1910) was selected by the Committee on House Administration to be reprogrammed. I initially provided support in pre-design, but soon took the lead role as architect during schematic design, overseeing all design services through final completion. The work was largely conducted with in-house forces, and to this effect I also produced shop drawings. Throughout, I regularly met with the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, who would administer the space, to ensure the room would not only meet the needs of diverse faith groups, but also be spiritually nourishing for all users.

The design of the room is divided into three zones. The first is a pre-functionary vestibule, immediately adjacent to a highly trafficked and acoustically live corridor. This area has ample architectural woodwork designed for storage. Cabinets provide space for users’ shoes, bags, and other items, while cabinets and shelves provide space for prayer rugs and literature that remain in the room. Passage to the next zone is flanked by a bench and a closet for storing furniture. This central zone is highly flexible. Furniture can be configured to provide tables for meals or religious study, but can also be stowed to provide maximum floor area for prayer rugs. The existing conference room TV was retained to allow for watching remote prayer services, although entirely new custom casework frames the TV to match the remainder of the room. The zone that is deepest in the space and offset from the rest of the room is the most spiritual space, designed for quiet prayer or contemplative meditation. The challenge of providing a non-denominational focal point for this space was solved with a radial wood “sunburst” panel, carefully designed to complement the African mahogany deployed throughout the room. It is subtly accented by brass channels, recessed lighting, and CNC-routed casement trim. The kneelers, also custom-designed and fabricated, can be folded up and stowed in individual niches and serve as the finishing touch to this feature.

Construction of the space was almost entirely carried out by highly skilled AOC trades personnel, engaging almost every shop under the authority of the House Superintendent. The bulk of the work, ranging from demolition to installing fine woodwork was conducted by the talented craftsmen of the AOC House Carpentry Shop. Additional support, especially in finishing the millwork, was provided by personnel of the House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Although I provided the design vision, the project was truly a collaborative effort. Moreover, coordinating the construction was no easy feat, and several of my colleagues in the House Superintendent’s office were instrumental in providing project management services.