Historic Furnishings Report: North and South Lobbies, Main Interior Building
Wallace DH. 1992. Historic Furnishings Report: North and South Lobbies, Main Interior Building. Washington, D.C.
The dual purpose of this historic furnishings report is (1) to bring together the available evidence on how the furnishings in the two lobbies of the Interior Building have evolved over the years since the building opened in 1937 and (2) to recommend a new furnishing plan which seeks to recapture the "dignified simplicity" Secretary Ickes aimed at in the 1930s, while taking into account the security and environmental requirements of the 1990s. The plan calls for restoration of the original lighting scheme, use of original or reproduction accessories (benches, sand jars, bulletin boards), redesign of barriers and security stations to meet modern needs without compromising the aesthetic character of the lobbies, and reduction of signage and other wall embellishments to the minimum necessary for efficient operation of this public area.