Alexandria Railing Project
(click to enlarge)
Job:
Interior Architectural Commission
Date:
March 2003
Site:
Old Town Alexandria, VA
Overview:
This hefty
railing is part of a complete renovation of a historic brick rowhouse in
Alexandria. Working with a
designer, we came up with the above railing pattern.
It is a massive piece, as it is constructed from 1” x 2” solid steel
bar, which was then forged to take on a peened texture. The top rail was also a
challenge as it is 1 5/8” diameter copper pipe, and the design calls for the
pipe to penetrate the steel –
that meant that we needed to find a good way to cut precise holes (both on level
and at a 40 degree angle) through the thick bar. We feel that the results were
worth the effort. Besides, problem solving is what blacksmithing is all
about. The balusters are made from
anodized aircraft cable, turnbuckles, and copper stops and swages. The brass
gear elements are actually the same gears being used in a belt-driven ceiling
fan system that has been installed in the house. Over all, there is around 40
feet of this rail on the premises.