Restoration

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In order to be placed in this category, work must involve previously done metalwork. Four photos (two prior to restoration and two after) are also required. More than four may be submitted and will be used at the discretion of the committee.

Gold Winner:

Finelli Architectural Iron & Stairs
Solon, Ohio

Finelli Architectural Iron & Stairs team were commissioned by the current homeowner to restore two driveway gates entrances originally fabricated by Edgar Brandt in 1926. Once the existing work was photographed, documented, cataloged and labeled, the team proceeded with the help of a crane to dismantle the major components. After a trip to the sandblaster, they assessed the extent of the deterioration with the homeowner. Once the disassembly had begun, they discovered, much to their amazement, that there was no evidence of one weld. The main framework was held together with mortise, tenon and pins along with over 700 mechanical fasteners per entry way for the remainder of the components. They also found inconsistencies between the archive photos housed in a local university and the current assembly due to past repairs. The Finelli Architectural Iron & Stairs team proceeded to have components recast from a box of partial pieces from an onsite outbuilding that the owner had saved. The team also collaborated with a fellow NOMMA member to reproduce the repoussé work for all the rosettes leaves and husks.

Roughly 2,500 hours of labor and 900 hours of repoussé labor were spent.

Silver Winner:
Allen Architectural Metals Inc.
Talladega, Alabama

The restoration project took place on Drayton Street across from Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia. Legend and Ghost Lore abound in this National Landmark Treasure founded in 1808 as a seaman's hospital and poor house. The oldest hospital in Georgia and the second oldest continually operating hospital in the country have recently been restored to its former glory. The scope consisted of restoring and re-creating one half of the double porch balconies, due to V2 of the porch and balcony were removed in a 1960s modernization of the building. Four massive cast iron columns complete with bases and ornate capitals had to be created to match the original existing columns. The complex capitals were created by master carving each leaf element and casting them separately for attachment to the columns. A total of 184 pieces were cast for these columns. The complications of these castings were that they had to be cast in vertical halves to wrap newly installed structural beams. In addition to the columns, balcony railings and elaborate cast iron perimeter fencing were re-created from existing components to enclose the property. Window grills and anthemions were also created for every window opening. The once removed side of the Radius Entrance Railing had to be fabricated in the field to match the geometry of the newly-installed marble steps, both matching the original stairway. This was no easy task as there was no mathematical geometry used in the forming of the original steps, to further complicate this, ADA handrail had to be added to both sides in order to adhere to today's building code requirements. This project took a year to complete and has been recognized as a significant restored addition to Savannah's Historic Architectural Culture.

Bronze Winner:

Majka Railing Co. Inc.
Saddle Brook, New Jersey

The team's quest for this project was to restore very ornate cast iron railings originally built in 1900 which had been removed prior and stored for more than 30 years in the basement. The railings were in a very degraded condition. Welding repairs were made to all damaged areas and threaded connections were repaired. Concrete and rebar in the posts were drilled out in preparation for sandblasting and powder coating. The dimensions required alterations to meet installation. Re-positioning of the castings required cutting and reconnecting with mechanical fasteners and also dowel and pin connections. Many challenges were faced while working on this project. One that stands out was finding enough sections from the original to re-size and fit the 60 feet of railing including the original wood handrail needed around the escalator. Because it is a part of the Ladies Mile Historic District and crafted in the Beaux Arts style, the Majka Railing Co. team and the owner paid great attention to detail maintaining the historic integrity of the property.

Approximately 360 hours were spent on the restoration work.

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