Massachusetts State House – Great Hall of Flags
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 fabricated 12 custom fixtures that were retrofitted to existing cylinders in the Great Hall of Flags at the State House.
The challenge was presented to the Grand Light team to fabricate seamless cylindrical tube that will be retrofitted to the existing fixture. The cylinder has been designed by rolling a 1/16″ thick aluminum sheet and weld it together to make a cylinder. The weld was then cleaned and a 1″ wide ring was added to the bottom. The 39 inches tall and 12″ wide cylinder was then powder coated using a custom color that was specified by the client. These cylinders were then attached to the existing brackets located at the top of the fixture using screws that were powder coated to match the rolled cylinder.
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.
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.
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.
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
