elaborate中等

In December of 1869, Congress appointed a commission to select a site and prepare plans and cost estimates for a new State Department Building. The commission was also to consider possible arrangements for the War and Navy Departments. To the horror of some who expected a Greek Revival twin of the Treasury Building to be erected on the other side of the White House, the elaborate French Second Empire style design by Alfred Mullett was selected, and construction of a building to house all three departments began in June of 1871.

1869年12月，国会任命了一个委员会，为新的国务院大楼选址，并制定规划和成本预算。该委员会还要考虑为陆军部和海军部作出可能的安排。令一些人震惊的是——他们原本期待在白宫另一侧建起一座与财政部大楼如出一辙的希腊复兴式建筑——阿尔弗雷德·马利特设计的精致的法国第二帝国风格方案被选中，一座容纳全部三个部门的大楼于1871年6月开工建设。

Completed in 1875, the State Department’s south wing was the first to be occupied, with its elegant four-story library (completed in 1876), Diplomatic Reception Room, and Secretary’s office decorated with carved wood, oriental rugs, and stenciled wall patterns. The Navy Department moved into the east wing in 1879, where elaborate wall and ceiling stenciling and marquetry floors decorated the office of the Secretary.

国务院所在的南翼于1875年竣工，最先投入使用，其中有优雅的四层图书馆（1876年完工）、外交接待室以及用木雕、东方地毯和模板印花墙饰装饰的国务卿办公室。海军部于1879年迁入东翼，那里的部长办公室装饰着精美的墙面与天花板模板印花以及镶嵌地板。