Engineering Marvels in America: How Their Interior Design Has Changed Over the Years

From government buildings in Washington to iconic landmarks in cities like New York, we could say without doubt that we can find countless engineering marvels in America.

Today, we’ll explore how custodians of a few such engineering marvels have managed to update their interior designs while maintaining respect for tradition and heritage.

Be sure to read more about these engineering marvels in America and their overall heritage; we’ll be focusing primarily on interior design in this piece.

Engineering Marvels in America: How Interior Designers Approach Reimagining Icons

#1. The White House (Washington, DC)

The White House (which, as engineering marvels go, was America’s largest house until the post-Civil War era) has notably been tweaked to suit the needs and wants of whoever the “most powerful man in the world” happens to be at the time.

In fact, the relatively frequent changes of the building’s tenants rank it among the most oft-updated civil engineering marvels in America.

In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton got rid of the butler’s pantry and created what he deemed a more ‘family-friendly’ kitchen. He also had the Lincoln Sitting Room repainted with bolder colors, to reflect his and then-First Lady Hillary Clinton’s tastes.

During his tenure, President Barack Obama furnished the Oval Office with modern and contemporary art, a first at the time.

In more recent times, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s changes include revamped wall fabric in the White House’s Red Room. Years of sunlight had worn the paint down so much it was more pink than red.

The White House’s current inhabitants also revamped the White House’s Nixon-era bowling alley.

#2. The Empire State Building (New York, New York)

The Empire Building has been one of America’s foremost engineering marvels since its construction in the 1930s. It was the world’s tallest building (and one of the true engineering marvels of the 20th century) until the World Trade Center’s North Tower was completed in the late 1970s.

The building’s interior has been updated over the years to reflect modern sensibilities over the years. Notably, in 2018, designers completed phase one of a $165 million modernization project.

While you wouldn’t know such a hefty sum was paid to update the building based on its unchanged exterior, its new 34th Street entrance (and the lobby beyond its doors) tells all.

The renovation features a grand staircase that manages to evoke modern sensibilities while reflecting the building’s Art Deco heritage. There’s also a two-story model of the Empire State Building at the staircase’s center.

These changes (and others like it, such as the guided LED exhibits) were made in part to enhance the visitor experience at one of New York’s most popular tourist spots.

Without any doubt, its alive history among engineering marvels in America.

#3. The World Trade Center (New York, New York)

Of course, the engineering marvels that originally constituted “The World Trade Center” were lost to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

While an undoubtedly resilient move would have been to rebuild structures that resemble the Twin Towers, planners took a different approach. This allowed them to honor history while simultaneously overcoming the previous complex’s shortcomings.

And indeed, there were many shortcomings.

One reviewer complained that the original complex’s narrow windows (which were so in part because the architect was afraid of heights) created “pure visual frustration.” Other critics complained that the building felt ‘prison-like,’ in large part because of these windows.

It’s unsurprising, then, that the interior at the new One World Trade Center — indisputably one of New York’s modern engineering marvels — is graced by significantly more sunlight via wider windows.

While there are many criticisms of the new World Trade Center, this new interior design feature is rarely among them. They are a major reason One World Trade Center is among the engineering marvels of the world.

#4. Texas State Capitol (Austin, Texas)

You’d be forgiven for thinking the Texas State Capitol in Austin has been unchanged since its construction in 1888. From the outside, it appears much like it always has. This isn’t a bad thing, mind you; while the other items on this list are engineering marvels of the 20th century, the Texas Capitol is a marvel from the 19th that’s been maintained quite well.

After some time wandering the grounds, however, you will inevitably stumble upon the Capitol’s underground extension. Opened to the public in the 1990s, the extension is a decidedly more modern structure. It breathes new life into the complex while maintaining a classic appeal.

The stone surfaces you’ll find here still bear resemblance to those in the historic part of the complex, though.

This structure may be one of America’s modern engineering marvels on its own but it pays tribute to the old structure in a very unique way, via skylights that provide stunning views of the dome.

#5. Tribune Tower (Chicago, Illinois)

Chicago’s Tribune Tower is currently undergoing a massive renovation that will see it converted from the Chicago Tribune’s headquarters to a residential space.

The building, one of the oft-overlooked engineering marvels of the 20th century, is currently in a state of disarray thanks to the massive undertaking. The developers, however, have released a number of titillating glimpses at the changes new tenants will behold when they move in during 2020.

The new structure will maintain many of the existing gothic elements (see the windows above). It will even retain the iconic Chicago Tribune sign that adorns the side of the building. However, modern design elements as seen above will transform it from gloomy to uplifting.

Engineering marvels in America, conclusion

America is home to many of the foremost engineering marvels of the world. Maintaining these buildings has presented a variety of unique challenges for architects. The above examples are among the engineering marvels whose interior changes have been both significant and critically acclaimed.

Keep reading about history of interiors in our books and articles.