Massachusetts State House
Project Description
Property History
The Massachusetts State House is the state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Built in 1798, the building houses the Massachusetts General Court and the offices of the Governor of Massachusetts. Located on top of Beacon Hill in Boston, adjacent to the Boston Common on Beacon Street, the building is situated on 6.7 acres of land. It was built on land once owned by John Hancock, Massachusetts first elected governor, and was designed by Charles Bulfinch, the leading architect of the day.
Project Scope
Grand Light removed, completely restored, and reinstalled the existing historic lighting fixtures, including a gigantic 30′ tall, 1850 lbs chandelier, eighteen cast brass wall sconces, and a set of beautiful torchieres located on the Senate Chambers podium. This project also included the design and manufacturing of custom chandeliers based off a historic photograph.
Grand Light’s specialists dismantled, disassembled, packed, and transported the historic chandelier, wall sconces, and torchieres without causing any disruption to the daily activities of the State House. Through the combined efforts of Grand Light specialists, Colantonio Inc associates, and State House personnel, this task was completed within one day.
After the removal, a 200+ page condition report documented the restoration of the historic 30ft+, 112 light multi tiered chandelier, wall sconces, and torchieres, and was used to accurately identify all components, document finish imperfections, mechanical, and electrical deficiencies including possible corrective actions or modifications.
Additionally this project required the development of adjustable uplights that highlighted the dome of the Senate Chamber. Grand Light engineers worked with the designers at George Sexton Associates to incorporate the use of an LED GU10 in the original lamp locations. A custom shade was designed and replicated to match exactly to what was original except this shade had an acrylic lens built-in to reflect light downward without interfering with the precise optics of the GU10 lamp required to properly light the dome. This lens reflected light in the glass so it looked like an A-lamp was evenly illuminating the shade.
The fixtures were transported back to the State House and Grand Light assembled the large chandelier and carefully adjusted eighty modified GU10 uplights at a precise 12 degree angle in conjunction with George Sexton Associates.
In addition to restoring the historic lighting fixtures, the project required Grand Light design and fabricate custom chandelier replications based on a historic photograph.
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.
Supervision, Documentation, & Instruction
All Grand Light on-site professional personnel are OSHA certified and carry OSHA 30 cards at all times while on site. Our field technicians also conduct on-site orientations prior to removing/delivering fixtures, upholding safety to finish the job efficiently. Our team is trained to supervise on-site operations, while documenting each fixture’s existing condition, all mechanical, electrical, and finish deficiencies, as well as the proper installation or assembly process in order to provide a comprehensive guide for a smooth installation.
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.
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.
Glass 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.
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.
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 Media
Grand Light specialists assemble the historic Senate Chamber chandelier on-site.
Video Credit: Bruce D. DiLoreto, Legislative Photographer
Project Updates
Preserving The Past With Intelligent Lighting Solutions
Grand Light has over a decade of experience modifying existing lighting systems with energy efficient LED retrofit kits for a variety of clients including government, religious, educational and cultural institutions, architects, electrical contractors, and designers. We pride ourselves on preserving the historic integrity of a fixture, while upgrading an existing lighting system with brighter, more efficient lighting.
Restoration Project Honored At Boston Preservation Awards
Grand Light recently removed and transported numerous historic exterior lighting fixtures from the Moynihan Train Hall restoration project which project which expands the nation’s busiest train station, Pennsylvania Station, New York across 8th Avenue into the historic James A. Farley Post Office Building
Breathing New “Light” Into Beacon Hill
Grand Light was selected by CBT Architects, Colantonio Inc, George Sexton Associates, Building Conservation Associates, and the State of Massachusetts to restore existing historic lighting fixtures while designing and manufacturing custom lighting fixtures for the Senate Chamber renovation project.
Legacy Project Receives Detailed Evaluation Report
Recently our Grand Light team finished a 200+ page condition report documenting the restoration of a historic 30ft+, 112 light multi tiered chandelier modified to accept LED lamping technology.
Landmark Massachusetts State House Project Begins
Grand Light was selected to restore existing historic lighting fixtures while designing and manufacturing custom lighting fixtures for the Senate Chambers renovation project.
Massachusetts State House Cylinder Fabrication
Custom Cylinders are fabricated for the Massachusetts State House
Project Case Study
To review the Project Case Study, click the image below:
Project Accolades
“The completed project has brought the Senate Chamber into the 21st century while masterfully preserving and restoring its fine historic features. The result is a public space for the Massachusetts Senate that ensures its use by the Commonwealth and its citizens for decades to come.”
“There are few spaces that match the sensitivity required to bring modern functionality to an iconic historic space as Bullfinch’s Massachusetts Senate Chamber. Yet the vision and execution of the entire team shines through in a way that would make Bulfinch proud. This project shows that even the most historic of spaces can successfully accommodate 21st needs all while enhancing stewardship and meeting the highest of preservation standards,”
“The team relied on the extraordinary craftsmanship and ingenuity of many experts to decide how the restoration work was to be done and to perform the work with precision and care, most often by hand…Historical accuracy of all original designs were honored including careful disassembly and reassembly of the Chamber’s intricate chandelier.”
