The Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE) oversees long-range facility planning, architectural and engineering design, historic preservation and project, program and construction management.

The office conducts master planning, building performance audits, retro-commissioning and facility condition assessments (FCA). The office also manages the energy and sustainability program, provides project-funded, in-house construction services, supports critical Capitol campus systems and oversees the enterprise asset management (EAM) and building automation systems.

Our Stories

Office of the Chief Engineer Work

Portrait of a person.
Behind the Scenes

Meet the Historic Preservation Officer

Donna Klee has worked for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) for more than 10 years and was named the agency's Historic Preservation Officer in the fall of 2023. In this capacity, she works to implement the agency's preservation policy.
Person outside.
Projects

A House for All Seasons

More than 140 years later, the Architect of the Capitol's Summerhouse still offers visitors respite. Recent maintenance efforts will help keep the site around for repeat visitors and first timers alike.
The U.S. Capitol Building.
History & Discoveries

Capitol Illumination

Learn more about the history of lighting this iconic building including the part of the Dome called the "tholos."
Russell Jones of the AOC Construction Division demonstrates a cool tool for applying grout to the Olmsted wall.
Behind the Scenes

Cool Tools: Squaring Off With History

Many of the tools we use around the Capitol campus are unique, historic and essential to our mission — in other words, they are cool tools!

A talented employee of an Architect of the Capitol sheet metal shop.

Expertise

Skillful Craftmanship

We serve in diverse roles applying both modern techniques and historical tradecrafts in the care and preservation of the Capitol campus.

Areas of Expertise