Connecticut State Capitol Laylight & Skylight Restoration
Hartford, CT
This historic restoration at the Connecticut State Capitol balances preservation and precision to bring 19th-century craftsmanship back to life within a fully active government building.
As part of ongoing on-call services with the State Capitol of Connecticut, Crosskey Architects was engaged to oversee the restoration of the historic stained glass laylights, reinforce their supporting structures, replace two existing skylights, and supervise all reinstallation work. The scope included restoring damaged stained glass panels, strengthening the existing metal frames, and reinstalling both original decorative glass and newly fabricated clear panels designed to match the originals.
Structural improvements were complemented by the restoration of surrounding painted surfaces to preserve the architectural integrity of the space. During the process, original painted banding at the top of the atriums was uncovered. To protect this historic feature, a conservation-grade varnish was applied, and a detailed canvas overlay replicating the original design was installed. This reversible treatment safeguards the underlying paint while allowing for future visibility and potential restoration.
All work was completed within a strict 13-week construction window, due to the requirement that no scaffolding be present during legislative sessions. The project is a strong example of how modern preservation techniques and thoughtful coordination can successfully revive and honor the architectural vision first imagined in the 1870s.
- Municipal, On-Call Services, Historic Preservation
- Varies
- Completed - 2024
Project


“the skylights and lay lights project, which has been going forward at the same time, is a sign of big progress in the overall restoration effort.”
Brian Pencz
Office of Legislative Management