Utah’s new North Capitol Building in Salt Lake City features a massive stained glass laylight dome depicting the diverse landscapes of the Beehive State. The colorful glazed panels hang from the top of the under-construction North Capitol Building within the state’s Capitol complex.
The stained glass feature consists of 89 panels and includes more than 14,700 individual pieces. Utah-based Holdman Studios designed the hallmark with inspiration from a similar stained glass laylight in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Paris temple.
“This stained glass laylight is a powerful reminder that Utah’s strength lies in our shared roots and our commitment to building a brighter future together,” says Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “With pieces from every corner of the state, it reflects not just our natural beauty and history, but the unity and pride that make Utah exceptional. I’m grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life for all Utahns to enjoy.”
The 25-foot wide, 25-foot long and 9-foot-tall stained-glass piece depicts Utah’s 29 counties. Each piece portrays Utah’s identity, from the Utahraptor to seagulls, honeybees, Mount Olympus, Bryce Canyon, Kings Peak and the Great Salt Lake. At the top is a crystal glass sun, which Holdman Studios obtained from retired government telescopes.
The $1.6 million project was installed in early May and will light up the building’s lobby when it opens in 2026. A team of 40 people designed and created the piece. It took two weeks to install the 89-glass-panel stained glass work atop the new building.