The veneer columns are lifted up into the corners of the copper archway on the Cathedral tower.
Today, we lifted the ornamental stone veneer columns and finials up into the corners of the copper archway on the church tower. The church steeple will now look finished and proportional. To see the completed look with all four columns installed, be sure to check for future posts!
We’re heading back to our homes and office in Utah this evening, but we’ll be back here in a couple of weeks to finalize everything before the big, exciting lift.
Before we left, we fitted the finials to the lightning protections and finished the gilding on the collar at the base of the cross. We have pictures, but as we will be traveling, it will be a few days before we can make our next post. Also, we’ve got video in tow! Stay tuned for those as well.
We apologize in advance for the quality of these images, but just wanted you to know we’ve been on task! See you all in a couple of days!
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has gathered many talented artists and designers working to restore this magnificent piece of historical architecture. Our job at Copper Exclusive is to create the ornate copper work on the cathedral’s crowning glory, the unbelievably beautiful steeple tower.
The copper windows and steeple extension will done by two other companies.
The picture here to the left is the architect’s rendering of the archway; the base of the cathedral tower. This region will be clad entirely of copper. The base frame is made of a special fiberglass using fine boat technology. Since the entire 55 tons or so of cathedral topper could be subject to hurricanes and earthquakes, it is essential the tower weighs as little as possible and is engineered to handle these challenges. For more information on the fiberglass frame and the engineering behind this part of the structure, see the related Hightower and Glenn Keyes Architects entries under “Restoration Specialists”.
From the archway, the copper tower rises, glistening and ethereal, and is finally adorned with an ornate, gilded cruciform. The base of the cross was built entirely of stainless steel. We are cladding with copper, then applying gold to the entire finished cross. In cooperation with the rest of the design/build team, we came up with a design that will fully embrace the gilding treatment.
The details will be clearly visible even from the over 100 feet from the ground below.
As mentioned earlier, the cross serves not only as a decorative feature, but as an integral part of the tower itself. It will be hoisted in conjunction with the spire piece to the top of the cathedral, and will serve as a lightning rod as well.
Please follow us along as we demonstrate in word and media how we have gone about building each of these items. It is our hope you enjoy this process as much as we have!