Restored chandelier and sconces in Park Avenue Armory: Company D--read more below
Chandelier illuminating the restored interior of Company D
The optics produced are reminiscent of the original gas lighting
Historic image of Company D
Looking up at the chandelier in Company D
Custom track lighting for Park Avenue Armory: Company E
The custom track lighting allows for versatile use of the room
Historical image of Company Room E
Winch system for the track lighting in Company E
Restored main interior of Board of Officers room with retrofitted chandelier and sconces
Detail shot of the restored wrought chandelier in the Board of Officers room
Historical image of the chandelier in the Park Avenue Armory: Board of Officers room
Detail of the custom blown glass used in the chandelier retrofit
Park Avenue Armory: Company Room
New York, NY
The Seventh Regiment of the National Guard, now known as the Park Avenue Armory located on Park Ave in New York City was built in 1861 both as a military facility and an upper class social club. Conceived by the most prominent designers of the time, the reception rooms on the first floor and 'Company' rooms on the second floor were distinctive, ornate, and exemplary of the Gilded Age.
Company rooms D and E, and the Board of Officers Room rooms were meticulously restored by Herzog & deMeuron architects in concert with Platt Bayard Dovel White Architects and the very engaged PAA directors. Inspired by historic images, existing fixtures, and new innovative lighting, each room is equipped with lighting for multi purpose functions.
In the Company D room, inspiration was taken from an old image of a gasolier fixture originally in the room. In addition to the (8) arms reminiscent of the gasolier, the new fixture has (8) custom spotlights, a center downlight, thin pencil fluorescents, and a bank of theatrical lights close to the ceiling with a total of 5 circuits. Statue torchieres were relamped using the new double glass globes. All components were made either from solid brass or brass plated giving the room a warm glow with many different settings for different effects.
Illustrating the diversity of design and personalities of the room, Company E room houses a massive rectangular fixture inspired by the diagonal pattern in the ceiling, (2) mechanical winches raise and lower the massive rectangular fixture that houses both directional up and down lights providing endless settings.
Awards:
Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, The New York Landmarks Conservancy, Park Avenue Armory 2017
The Palladio Award, Commercial Restoration and Renovation, 2017
New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Award, 2014
Preservation League of New York State Award, 2014
National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards Program, 2014
Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, Renaissance Award, 2014
AIA New York Chapter Design Award, 2014