2024-06-26T04:05:16-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150428949/congress-appoints-engineer-thomas-austin-as-the-next-architect-of-the-capitol Josh Niland 2024-05-24T14:22:00-04:00 >2024-05-28T14:01:06-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/b6/b6804918f69c10dba59cdfb30f462727.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The appointment of military engineer Thomas Austin as the next <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/1471634/architect-of-the-capitol" target="_blank">Architect of the Capitol</a> has been announced by a 12-member bipartisan commission of lawmakers in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;</p> <p>Austin, a retired Army veteran and the former Director of Engineering at Arlington National Cemetery, will assume the office beginning on June 24th and serve a ten-year term, which soon could be subject to <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150409063/new-bipartisan-architect-of-the-capitol-provision-could-grant-congressional-oversight-for-the-first-time" target="_blank">direct congressional oversight</a> after the controversy surrounding predecessor <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/2115854/brett-blanton" target="_blank">Brett Blanton</a>&rsquo;s abuse of office.&nbsp;</p> <p>&ldquo;The Architect of the Capitol plays a vital role in welcoming millions of visitors to our Capitol and ensuring it is a functional workplace. Thomas Austin has managed construction projects and facilities of all sizes, maintained one of our nation&rsquo;s most hallowed landmarks, and served our country in the military. We are confident that with his extensive experience, Thomas Austin will be an adept and capable Architect of the Capitol,&rdquo; the committee&rsquo;s public statement reads.</p> <figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/6e/6e7e33b9bbbb812fa20e41676fa4c1fa.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/6e/6e7e33b9bbbb812fa20e41676fa4c1fa.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&amp;enlarge=true&amp;w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Previously on Archinect: ...</figcaption></figure>