Spencer R. Higgins, Architect Incorporated

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Bank of Canada
Ottawa

Luminaire Conservation and Replication

The Bank of Canada Building located at 234 Wellington Street in Ottawa was built from 1937-1938 by architect Sumner Godfrey Davenport of Montreal, Quebec, and completed by the Toronto-based firm of Marani, Lawson and Morris.

The newer glass-clad structure behind the original 1937 building was completed in 1979 by the firm of Marani Rounthwaite & Dick (successor to Marani, Lawson and Morris) and Arthur Erickson.

ArconTEST was retained by the Bank of Canada to conserve a large copper-alloy wall-lantern held in their Archives since its removal in 1979, and fabricate a replica. The luminaire is a blend of Art Deco and Neo-Classical craftsmanship, and adorned with Acanthus leaves, rosettes and a Greek geometric filigree.

Analytical work was carried out in ArconTEST's laboratory to determine the types of metals used. Using energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, the copper alloy was found to be composed primarily of zinc, lead and tin, often referred to as Leaded Bronze or Gun-metal.

Work included dismantling and cleaning the original lantern, replacing missing cast brass decoration, then reassembling and rewiring the lanterns with new globes. ArconTEST sourced replacement globe components in hand-blown glass, matching the original.

The duplicate lantern was fabricated from new castings (fabricated by MST Bronze), a spun cowling (fabricated by Heather & Little) and blown glass globe components (fabricated by Vitrious Glass). ArconTest reassembled the components, patinated the metals and rewired the assembly. The completed lanterns were reinstalled in 2021.

Disassembly and study phase

Paint removal and cataloging

Final Restoration ready for shipment