Kentucky State Capitol Renovations Frankfort, Kentucky

Services Provided

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People Involved

Andy Knight
Casey Elmer
Ryan Blume

Redesigning an Olmsted Brothers campus to improve circulation, security, and visitor experience

Originally designed by the Olmsted Brothers in the early 20th century and perched on a prominent bluff along the banks of the Kentucky River in Frankfort, KY, the campus of the Kentucky State Capitol presents a park-like setting including rolling hills of bluegrass, large heritage trees, and moments of color and texture surrounding the Capitol building itself. Throughout the last century the landscape has continued to mature, evolve, and in some cases exceed its anticipated lifespan resulting in a landscape the is poised for a refresh and an opportunity to revisit current issues concerning security, visitor experience, and overall maintenance and operations.

Serving as the Landscape Architects and design leaders for this campus refresh, MKSK initiated the project with a thorough investigation and research of the original Olmsted design intent, evaluating the overall composition, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and planting strategies throughout the campus. This process culminated in a comprehensive approach that re-introduced the flowing curvilinear lines of sidewalks and planting beds, a mixture of planting texture and color for all seasons, and the preservation of the variety of heritage trees that add vertical scale to the landscape adjacent to the massive Washington DC capitol inspired and Frank Mills Andrews designed building.

MKSK worked closely with capitol leadership, facilities staff, and Champlin | EOP architects to develop a vision and strategy that honored the historic Olmsted legacy and advanced the landscape into a 21st century responsive landscape. The final vision and recommendations included flowing pathways, lush landscape plantings that weave through and around the capitol building, introduces new safety and security approaches, and improves overall ADA accessibility to the capitol building.

The project is currently in the design development and implementation phases.