Massachusetts State House – Senate Chamber
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 Bullfinch, the leading architect of the day.
Project Scope
Grand Light designed and fabricated custom chandelier replications based on a historic photograph for the Senate Chamber renovation project. Each fixture was custom fabricated and finished in dark antique brass to match the aesthetic of the existing fixtures at the state house. Once fabricated and finished, the fixtures were wired with UL listed products and tested in accordance with UL 1598 standards.
In addition to these custom chandelier fabrications, the project required the restoration of historic lighting fixtures ranging from a large 30ft+, 112 light multi tiered chandelier, to wall sconces and podium torchieres.
Services Performed
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.
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.
Featured Products
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,”
