First National Center

Historic Interior Lighting

First National Center

Job Site Oklahoma City, OK

Project Description

Property History

The First National Center, formerly known as First National Bank Building, is a prominent mixed-use skyscraper located in downtown Oklahoma City. The building was constructed in 1931 by the First National Bank and Trust Company of Oklahoma City and contains 33 floors at 446 feet (136 m) tall. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

Project Scope

Grand Light removed and restored the large interior chandeliers and pendants located inside the renowned “Great Banking Hall”. Our specialists utilized a combination of lifts, scaffolding, rigging, and ladders to disassemble twenty massive cast brass chandeliers and pendants, many weighing over 300lbs and measuring over 6ft tall. All existing fixtures were thoroughly photographed and documented prior and during disassembly. Our on-site team carefully removed, packed, and safely transported all fixtures over 1500 miles from Oklahoma City to Grand Light’s Lighting Restoration Factory located in Seymour, Connecticut.

During our factory evaluation, all on-site documentation and in-factory sampling were analyzed by our team of engineers with the findings submitted to the design team for review. Detailed profile drawings were also created for use in representing how components fit together, highlight existing damages/deficiencies, and map electrical connections.

The restoration process involved having the historical fixtures disassembled, soda/vapor blasted to conserve the original finish, and hand cleaned with proprietary pewter cleaning solution. Fixture components with severe rusting and finish deterioration were high-pressure media blasted and refinished. Multiple applications of a UV resistant protective lacquer coating of all steel and brass components was applied. Some fixtures required minor mechanical repairs and/or replacement of damaged, deteriorated, or missing components. The original etched glass diffusers were carefully cleaned ultrasonically and by hand. A number of the glass panels were damaged or missing, and were either repaired or replaced with a similar in kind replica. Multiple tiers of lamping clusters within each fixture, totaling 276 sockets, were replaced and rewired using UL-listed components before each fixture was HIPOT tested in accordance with UL 1598.

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.

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Material Fabrication

Grand Light has created custom lighting fixtures of every style and for every application. Our team of professional metal workers excel in Forming, Forging, Spinning, Stamping, and Hydroforming various materials such as Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, and Copper.

Grand Light’s production process in machining and manufacturing custom lighting fixtures and components in both large and small quantities; from minor components to the complete fabrication of full sized lanterns or other custom lighting fixtures, our artisans can accommodate any client specification or deadline.

With our automated lathes, stamping, and welding equipment aid in our ability to craft metal components to project specification with unparalleled design, quality, and durability. Our custom lighting team stands confidently behind their work with years of experience and dedication to quality craftsmanship.

Surface Preparation

Grand Light specialists perform testing on each fixture to determine the optimal surface profile for powder coat, paint, metal oil, or hot/cold patina application. Our processes utilize a wide range of equipment including Pyrolysis, Burn-Off, Thermal, and Blast Cabinets to remove an existing finish and smooth or roughen a surface.

Our industrial Pyrolysis, Burn-Off, Thermal Ovens and Heaters offer high-temperature, controlled burns for removal or vaporization of finish or foreign material from metal surfaces. Any remaining ash is removed through our blast cabinet services.

Our industrial Media Blast Cabinets are generally used to remove existing material (finish, contaminants, rust, etc.) or smooth/roughen a surface, all without causing damage to the original profile and aesthetic elements. Each cabinet houses a large work area and adjustable turn table to easily maneuver fixture frames and components.

Glass Cleaning, Fabrication, & Repair

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

Media

Detailed profile drawings were created for use in representing how components fit together, highlight existing damages/deficiencies, and map electrical connections.

Grand Light artisans disassembled, soda/vapor blasted, hand cleaned, and applied multiple applications of a UV resistant protective lacquer coating.

Project Updates

History In The Re-Making – Oklahoma Project Progresses Forward

Grand Light removed and is restoring the large interior chandeliers and pendants located inside First National Bank Building’s renowned “Great Banking Hall”.

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Restoration In Oklahoma – First National Center Project Launches

Grand Light is removing and restoring the large interior chandeliers and pendants located inside the renowned “Great Banking Hall” of the First National Center renovation project located in Oklahoma City.

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Project Case Study

To review the Project Case Study, click the image below:

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