William McChesney Martin, Jr. Federal Reserve Board Building
Project Description
Property History
The William McChesney Martin, Jr. Building was designed by the architecture firm, H2L2, and located across C Street Northwest from the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building. Designed in the 1960s, the building was a contemporary interpretation of classicism and used materials similar to the Eccles Building. An interior design objective of the building was to provide maximum flexibility of office space through movable partitions and modular furniture, as well as optimum energy utilization. Groundbreaking took place in 1971 and the building was completed in 1974. Dedicated on November 19, 1974, this building was named in honor of former Federal Reserve Board Chairman, William McChesney Martin, Jr. who served from April 2, 1951, through January 31, 1970.
Project Scope
Grand Light engineers designed a custom linear LED retrofit solution for multiple fixtures, providing energy-efficient lighting, full-range dimming from 0-100%, and optimal light levels. The largest fixture originally featured 87 medium-base incandescent bulbs rated for 75 watts each. The retrofit replaced the screw-in configuration with 26 feet of dimmable linear LED light strips delivering a maximum output of 5,358 lumens. After the retrofit, the new LED assembly significantly reduced the fixture’s energy consumption from 6,525 watts to just 52 watts.
The bodies of each fixture were thoroughly hand cleaned and buffed to remove any debris or imperfections, leaving their mirrored surfaces shiny and spotless.
Now installed at the William McChesney Martin, Jr. Building, these ceiling fixtures provide dynamic, energy-efficient illumination designed to perform reliably for years to come.
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.
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.
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.
Media
The new LED configuration utilized 26 ft of a dimmable Linear LED Light Strip, with a new max lumen output of 5358 lm. These fixtures originally used 6,525W which was reduced to 52W total using the new LED assembly.
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.
“Illuminating Federal Landmarks” – Historic DC Projects Launch
Our Grand Light On-Site Specialists have had multiple productive days in Washington D.C. loading up historic lighting fixtures from multiple project job sites, including the National World War I Memorial and Federal Reserve Board Building, into our 30ft trailer for transport back to the lighting restoration factory!
