Architecture Tue Apr 22 2008

Tiffany Dome Restoration at the Chicago Cultural Center

Back in the good old days of architecture, buildings used to be breathtakingly ornamented. Effort is currently underway to restore the impressive Tiffany Glass dome at the Chicago Cultural Center. If you stop by on May 21st at 6 p.m., the project team from Evanston will be there to discuss the technical and historical details of the project (call 312.744.6630 for more information). Currently, the dome can be viewed from the perimeter of the room while the restoration is underway. In addition, several of the glass pieces have been replaced with temporary plastic panels.

The dome, pre-restoration.

The project is extraordinary for several reasons. Perhaps most significantly, the restoration will once again allow natural light to illuminate the ornate 'jewels' inserted in the panes. It is increasingly rare to find a Tiffany glass ceiling of this size that has not been encased and artificially lit. The metal frame will also be polished and refinished to insure that the whole ceiling sparkles radiantly. The restoration will be completed in late June.

- Carl Giometti