The single largest room in the Capitol building is the vast Assembly Chamber. Designed by American architect Leopold Eidlitz, it was the first of the building's "grand spaces" to be completed and occupied.The original Assembly chamber was designed in a Moorish Gothic style and characterized by the period's architectural critic, Henry Van Brunt, as "the most monumental interior in the country".The massive volume was marked by a groined vaulted sandstone ceiling that rose to a height of 56 feet above the floor. At the time of its construction, the chamber's ceiling was the widest vaulted structure attempted to that time. Sandstone was ornamented with bands painted in tones of greenish-blue, red and black, and highlighted with gold. Supporting the spectacular groined arches were four pillars of polished granite. On the north and south walls, large windows of both clear and stained glass provided natural light. Even the chamber's furniture was specially designed for the room. Made of solid mahogany and red leather, it provided the perfect accent for a noble setting. Unfortunately, almost from the start the arched chamber ceiling experienced structural problems. As the foundation in the Capitol began to settle the stone ceiling began to crack and break. Soon, members were greeted each morning with desks covered in dust and pieces of stone. Finally, when a large rock, the size of a bowling ball, fell dangerously close to an assemblyman, it was decided that something must be done.