Philadelphia Pennsylvania Just the words bring visual icons, to our minds eye …History, Opportunity, Research, Education, and
in this case a reminder of the Buildings that Landscaped the city in the days of yesteryear.
To even attempt a description of those days gone by of Cobblestone Streets winding in and out of the City, Marble Entrances welcoming all who entered into many a building. As the head raised in awe of the architectural design, a great visual crescendo captivated the eye then became fixed on the magnificent design, Craftsmanship really, that added the character still admired and sought after in what we have come to call, Old Philadelphia.
There are many still walking old city streets only to find many a building now left to age. Crumbled deteriorating exteriors, interiors … a mere vapor of what they were designed to be. BUT alas a new day is rising; a dedication to restoring, recapturing what seemed lost and searching for the resources that can help.
This is where our story begins!
In the fall of 2011 our office (American Colonial Crown Mouldings) received a call.
The voice on the other end said, “I was given your name by an Architect who thought your Company could help us, we are restoring a home in Philadelphia, PA.; we know what we want.”
This Project was located in South Philadelphia. (it was part of the military housing in the 1800’s associated with the Naval Yard). This couple wanted to reface the exterior of the home which would involve tearing down the old brick which had worn with age. It also involved restoring the cornice. Much of the Old City Cornice was made of copper or galvanize then hand crafted into the beautiful crown molding detail; often dentil molding and corbels were incorporated onto the cornice.
The Question was, Could we help? The Answer was, YES!
We met with our prospective customer, listened to their ideas, took photos of the old cornice detail they wanted and discussed reproducing them with Aluminum.
Next we built a mock up and presented that to them with the design plan.
We met and spoke with their Contractor, discussing our customer’s ideas and his questions for site work and installation.
Using the photo of the old/rusted galvanize cornice we began to create. First the Aluminum Crown Moulding in a seamless length and then Custom Corbel’s on both ends.
The finished Cornice was just as our customers envisioned and installed with perfection by their own Contractor.
Together with their Architect’s research and knowledge, our Customer’s vision/focus and effort to contact us; add our creativity and desire to work with each person involved, then designing a 16’ Cornice System in Aluminum, and ending with the perfection and expertise of the Contractor/Installer.
Truly a Great Visual Crescendo that will please the eye of a new generation.
**Photo’s - Before and after project photos**
