ARCHITECT AREA
Custom Metals Inc. brings back to life the vision of historical architect Louis Sullivan!
2004 Mitch Heitler Award Winners re-create legendary Chicago Auditorium Hall. Another great Wrought Iron history to be told!
As you can see from our picture,the 10 light fixtures shown are a combination of mild steel and cast iron. There are 36 castingsand 29 hand-made carbon filament Edison light bulbs per fixture. These light fixtures are replicas of originals designed by Louis Sullivan in the late 1890's that are no longer available for reproduction. These reproductions were completed using original black and white photos from the turn of the century, and utilizing magnifying glasses to best view the surface design and the original intent of Louis Sullivan. Cardboard maquettes were produced, and clay patterns were then sculpted for architectural review and revision. From the clay patterns, hard acrylic patterns were created, which facilitated foundry usage. Castings were detailed and then assembled into the fixtures shown. All items were electrified and passed Underwriters Laboratories inspection before installation. Pieces were prime coated, then painted and guilded on-site after the installation took place. (Approximate height is 7 ft., weight is 600 lbs. per piece.). For more info on Louis Sullivan biography, click here.
LITERATURE/CATALOGUES
THE ARCHITECT'S CORNER - Useful Instruments for professionals
"It's the Bible of Wrought Iron!" says our friends from Industria Italiana Arteferro!. "The Golden Age of Ironwork" goes back to the early '30s and to the work of Samuel Yellin, the greatest blacksmith ever! Click here for more informations
Metal: Design & Fabrication provides architects and designers with basic information on designing, detailing, and specifying metalwork for various applications. By better understanding metalwork, you can think about how the work might be better built while still in the design stage. Click here for more informations.
* Gold for the mistress, silver for the maid - Copper for the craftsman, cunning at his trade. 'Good' said the Baron, sitting in his hall, 'But iron - cold iron - is master of them all'. -Rewards and Fairies Rudyard Kiplin.