MEET THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL!
In his role, J. Brett Blanton is responsible for facilities maintenance and operation of the historic U.S. Capitol Building, the care and improvement of more than 570 acres of grounds and the operation and maintenance of 18.4 million square feet of buildings. Learn more about The Cannon House Office Building’s renewal and their commitment to preserving our nation’s history.
CANNON RENEWAL PROJECT
The Cannon House Office Building, the oldest Congressional office building outside of the Capitol Building, was in need of a complete renewal. The Cannon Building has not received a comprehensive systems upgrade since the 1930s, and many of the building’s systems are original – dating back to 1908 or earlier. The systems are past the end of their useful lives and the increasing risk of their failure jeopardizes the building’s long-term functionality and safety.
The renewal process is scheduled to take approximately 10 years, with two-years phase aligned to fall between Congressional move cycles. Construction work occurs around the clock, with activities ongoing throughout the day and night.
When completed at the end of 2024, the Cannon Renewal project will provide an effective workplace for the next century to serve the needs of the U.S. House of Representatives and support Congressional operations. The Cannon Renewal is an example of the AOC’s commitment to preserving our nation’s history one project at a time for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
The Honorable J. Brett Blanton
Architect of the Capitol
The Honorable J. Brett Blanton was sworn in as the 12th Architect of the Capitol in January 2020 after being nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Blanton served as a U.S. Naval Officer for more than 20 years, lending his progressive leadership and engineering experience to some of the Navy’s largest and most complex planning, design and construction projects. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for heroism in Baghdad, Iraq.
Prior to joining the Architect of the Capitol, Blanton served as Deputy Vice President at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, where he led a $1.5 billion Capital Planning, Design and Construction program.
He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager.
Full bio at: https://www.aoc.gov/about-us/history/architects-of-the-capitol/j-brett-blanton
