Oklahoma Senate Chamber

The Oklahoma State Senate Chamber was modernized during the early 1970s. Beautiful neoclassical ornaments were covered up with wood paneling, huge art glass panels in the ceiling were removed and replaced with ceiling tiles and many other misguided efforts to improve the appearance of the Chamber failed. In 1993 MA+ Architecture was commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate to restore the Chamber. After thorough research which included studying photographs, the original plans and the physical evidence, a plan was developed to restore the Chamber. The massive art glass panels (including fragments of the original panels) were reinstalled. Ornate details were reconstructed and restored to their original eloquence. Windows at the top of the room were uncovered and natural light once again poured into the Chamber. For excellence in historic restoration the project was awarded the Historic Interiors Preservation Award from the Oklahoman.