Project of the Month for December 2006/January, 2007

Drexel University Great Hall       

This project involved the reproduction of the original chandelier from period photographs.  One of the first problems to be solved was support for the chandelier.  The original supports were no longer existing, likely due to a mid-1950s grain elevator explosion nearby which shattered every window in the building, damaging the glass ceiling and likely facilitating removal of the chandelier.    

It was surmised from the photos that the original fixture was brass with an oxidized finish.  our original efforts were in this direction but limitations in the budget as well as structural limitations lead us toward aluminum with a painted finish.  Another issue was maintenance.  We suggested a motorized lowering device, which was mounted to the new structural steel which was added to the ceiling trusses.   Since the original estimated weight of the chandelier ranged from 600 to 900 lbs, the 1,000 lb. capacity winch was chosen.  The final weight was 410 lbs.

Magnified examination of the original photographs, some dating to 1893 yielded many details but some interpretation of elements was needed.  The project architect spent many hours overseeing details of the design.

We typically do not install but the special nature of the chandelier required our involvement.  The lowering device, with it's power coupling made assembly simple.  We only had to assemble components,  raise the chandelier and assemble some more.  All work was done at ground level.  major assemblies were completed in the factory to minimize time at site.  Assembly started at 3AM and was completed in four hours with three people.  Assembly was complicated by problems caused by the contractor who installed the lowering device.  They had allowed the cable to un-spool without weight causing the cable to spool improperly.  This required us to disassemble the fixture, completely un-spool the cable, re-wind the cable and reassemble the chandelier.  A day wasted.

However, the final result was worth the effort.