Playland Amusement Park
Project Description
Property History
Playland, often called Rye Playland or Playland Amusement Park, is an 280-acre amusement park located in Rye, New York and owned by the Westchester County government. Constructed in 1928 and designed by Frank Darling, veteran park manager with experience at Coney Island, NYC architectural firm Walker & Gillette, and landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke, Playland was the first planned amusement park in the country.
Project Scope
Grand Light partnered with Playland Amusement park to restore historic light fixtures, as well as fabricate a number of replications. The custom fabrication component of the project included an assortment of exterior mounted fixtures and wall sconces.
The highlight of the replication work involved the fabrication of 100+ fixture mounts and custom acorn-style diffusers to match the originals. We cast replicated the fixture mounts to precisely capture the historic design and mass produce replicas. Certain components had a new Verdigris patina finish applied with a UV resistant top coating to match the aesthetic of a preserved original finish. The new bases then received a Benjamin Moore 901 Mystical Powers coat of paint, followed by a custom white, high durability powder coat finish.
The acorn-style glass diffusers were reengineered to match the originals, but with improved stability and simplified installation and maintenance. Once the design was revised and finalized, we fabricated prismatic soda lime glass diffusers that matched the historic design while enhancing functionality.
Once manufactured, the replica fixtures were fitted with upgraded electrical components and new LED lamps for improved illumination efficiency and effectiveness.
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.
Replication Casting
Our metalsmiths can fabricate a variety of materials by hand forging or producing components utilizing the Lost-Wax and Sand Casting Processes. Our custom cast metal fixtures offer complex design, quality, and durability.
The Lost-Wax process consists of utilizing existing components replicate intricate detailing, shape, and size through the combination of custom molds, wax patterns, and ceramic shells. This process offers great precision and can replicate components ranging from tiny parts and entire frame castings.
Sand casting is a manufacturing process in which molten metal is poured into a sand mold containing a hollow cavity of the desired shape. After a period of time, the casting cools and solidifies. The sand is then broken away and shaken out.
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.
