160 Federal Street – Boston, MA
Project Description
Property History
160 Federal Street is located in the heart of the financial district in Boston, Massachusetts, and is home to a 24 story office building with approximately 388,000 square feet of modern workspace. Federal was built in 1929–1930 to a design by George W. Fuller and Parker, Thomas & Rice as the United Shoe Machinery Building, and for two decades it was the tallest building in the city. 160 Federal features gorgeous Art Deco design and architecture that has been expertly restored, earning it recognition as a historic landmark.
Project Scope
Grand Light was commissioned to restore multiple historic Edward F. Caldwell pendant light fixtures in the lobby interior. The job began by going on site to dismantle, pack, and transport the fixture back to our factory. Fortunately, Grand Light was able to find historic records of these E.F. Caldwell fixtures in our archive (the black and white photo pictured above) which provided a useful reference as our artisans worked.
Once in the factory, the fixtures were gently cleaned to preserve the existing fire gilded gold painted finish, and all of the components waxed with a museum grade metal wax to ensure the finish would remain preserved. There were a number of clear glass panels previously replaced with clear glass, so Grand Light fabricated new replica etched glass panels using the existing ones as reference so that all panels would match the intended historic look. The LED electrical components were removed and the fixtures were rewired with incandescent screw-in components. Once completed, Grand Light transported the fixtures back to 160 Federal Street in Boston and reinstalled them. Now, these striking Art Deco fixtures are ready to illuminate the space with the same elegance and grandeur as when they were first installed!
Services Performed
On-Site Disassembly, Assembly, & Testing
Our restoration artisans are trained to safely remove and disassemble fixtures and components, labeling and photographing fixture components in sequence of its removal and as a section. Work areas are left in the same condition it was found prior to leaving the site.
For documentation our technicians inspect and note any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring, to ensure the fixtures can be wired in accordance with UL listed products, UL standard 1598 and hi-pot tested, with UL label (LED retrofit kits utilize manufacturers listing).
On-Site Packing, Crating, & Transportation
Grand Light frequently transports lighting fixtures using our own box trucks, flatbeds, and custom-built trailers that are designed specifically for safe transport. Our team packs all components with custom-built crates catered to each fixture in our factory. Each crate is packed and properly labeled with all necessary information per fixture type, including loose components, damages/deficiencies, and proper component placement/alignment.
Lighting Design & Engineering
Our process begins with reviewing existing documentation including sketches, architectural drawings, historical photographs, and an on-site inspection to gather the full scope of the project requirements. From there, Grand Light will develop a detailed proposal. As required Grand Light conducts research to assure the historical accuracy of all historic projects.
The creation of Custom Drawings, Modeling, Simulation, and Rendering is an important part of the process when it comes to the production of custom lighting. Whether it be a replication or modification of an existing lighting fixture, the client’s design, or a creation by Grand Light’s engineering team, our designs will serve as the blue print for our production process.
Our designs and subsequent mock-ups address the smallest of detail, allowing our clients to fully visualize the fixture before it goes into production, which reduces the possibility of error, and allows Grand Light to fulfill its commitment of delivering high quality lighting fixtures on schedule.
Cleaning Systems
Grand Light specializes in commercial luminaire cleaning services, including the utilization of state-of-the-art Ultrasonic, Micro-Abrasive, and Hydrosonic Molecular Impact System (HSMI) Cleaning Technologies. Using our engineered cleaning systems, our artisans are able to eliminate decades of accumulated debris from any lighting fixture or surface.
Grand Light’s Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaning Tanks provide high-frequency sound waves transmitted through liquid to scrub clean the surface of immersed parts. The high-frequency sound waves, typically 40 kHz, agitate the liquid solution of water or solvent, and cause the cavitation of solution molecules.
Our Micro-Abrasive process utilizes fine abrasive media to generate an accurate, precise, and controllable abrasive jet to target and remove material (on the micron level). Our system is so precise it can remove ink from a business card without damaging the card’s surface.
HSMI is Grand Light’s unique, proprietary system includes powerful continuous super high steam production up to 369 degrees Fahrenheit with an integrated wet vacuum system insuring residual moisture and debris extraction. Purified dry vapor steam and integrated vacuum system guarantees spot free crystals and fixture frames.
Finish Application & Top Coatings
As a part of the restoration process, our artisans explore the intricate details of preserving the historical integrity of lighting fixtures including color matching and sheen of the original finish. Custom lighting finishes are available in custom painted colors, sheen, and textures as well as custom patina colors on bronze, copper, and brass components.
Our artisans can match any color or finish utilizing a variety of processes involving Powder Coat, Spray, Hot or Cold Patina Custom Recipes and Color Blending an existing finish.
Grand Light exercises meticulous techniques that are unparalleled in the application of Protective Top Coatings including binders, rust, and UV resistant protective metal oils, waxes, and lacquers with various customized sheens and tints.
Glass Cleaning & Fabrication
Grand Light’s Crystal, Glass, & Acrylic Studio specializes in the cleaning, repair, fitting, custom fabrication, replacement and replication of crystal, glass, and acrylic components of varying types, sizes, and color.
Our extensive cleaning solutions include hand cleaning, abrasive, micro-abrasive, and ultrasonic cleaning technology. Our artisans utilize a proprietary cleaning solution before each component is rinsed and hand polished. We have extensive experience pinning and stringing crystal components on historic and custom lighting fixtures. Utilizing time proven techniques, our artisans install pinning wire, clips, and connecting rings on crystal components in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and designs.
Our specialists will identify and research any missing crystal or glass component on a historic lighting fixture and offer up a similar or exact grade, size, tint, color, and shape to maintain a fixtures historical integrity.
Grand Light offers a wide variety of custom, high quality architectural glass and acrylic diffusers, available in an array of styles, types, and sizes. Our high quality architectural diffusers are available by custom order and offer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces or replications of an existing design.
LED Energy-Efficient Systems
Our Energy-Efficient LED Advantage Systems update the lighting element, wiring, and components to significantly increase the lighting quality of an area while minimizing total energy consumption and reducing maintenance costs. When incandescent lamps are upgraded to an LED system, the result is a room that is up to (3) times brighter, savings up to 80% in annual(recurring) energy costs, and extended operational lifespan.
Improvements can also be achieved through the implementation of photometric testing, intelligent controllers, photocells, motion detectors, and light lifts. All of these, often in combination, can significantly reduce operating costs and provide long term return on investment.
NRTL Testing & Listing
Utilizing only UL listed products, Grand Light’s OSHA NRTL Certified Manufacturer’s Testing and Listing Laboratory strives to ensure only the highest quality of standards go into finalizing each lighting fixture; from the rewiring of luminaires, to the installation of modern lamp technology, and the custom conversion of gas powered fixtures to electric.
Grand Light’s technicians inspect and document any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring. We also offer comprehensive retrofit kits for upgrading existing historic luminaire to take full advantage of modern induction lamping technology. Grand Light’s practice is to perform multiple UL tests on all electrical components and systems to ensure compliance with UL Standards for luminaires.
Project Updates
Revitalizing 160 Federal – Inside The Bold Modernization At An Iconic Landmark
Grand Light restored historic lighting fixtures at 160 Federal Street, recognized as one of Boston’s most visible, most distinguished, and best preserved landmark.
EF Caldwell & Co – American Pioneer Of Metal & Light
Of historic luminaires requiring restoration, Grand Light artisans are extremely proud to restore those manufactured by the renowned Edward F. Caldwell & Company of New York City, the premier designer and manufacturer of electric light fixtures and decorative metalwork from the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries. An American Icon & The Mark Of A…
Project Case Study
To review the Project Case Study, click the image below:
Original Lighting Manufacturer
Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
The fixtures restored in this job were early 20th century productions from renowned lighting designer E.F. Caldwell. The Caldwell fixtures from this job included two different types of brass hanging pendant fixtures.
Photo Credits: Smithsonian Libraries
