Mr. Jefferson's Capitol

When George C. Skarmeas, a Greek immigrant who is one of America's leading historic preservation architects, was asked why he wanted to take on the job of renovating the Virginia Capitol, he was taken aback.
"Are you pulling my leg?" he asked.
Assured that his leg was not being tugged, Skarmeas said renovating Thomas Jefferson's "Temple on the Hill" in Richmond has been the high point of his 27-year professional life.
"If you think about it, it is possibly one of the most significant buildings in America," said Skarmeas, 52, who believes that Jefferson was the nation's most important architect. "It was designed by Jefferson. . . . He is the person who wrote the Declaration of Independence . . . and was president. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work on something designed by a genius like Jefferson. When a commission like this appears on the radar screen, you say, 'My God, this is probably the job of a lifetime.' I had absolutely no hesitation."
After three years and $104.5 million, the renovated and expanded Capitol will be officially opened today by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and a host of other dignitaries. The completion of the project, which includes renovations inside and outside the building, didn't come a minute too soon. The nation's second-oldest working statehouse will host a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England on Thursday.