Citation of Merit

• Division: Historic Preservation
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Architect: Booth Hansen
• Client: Roosevelt University
• General contractor: Pepper Construction
• Consultants: Ketchmark & Associates, Engineers; Conrad Schmidt Studios (metal fabricator); Kirkegaard & Associates (acoustic consultants)

Overview

Originally designed by Louis Sullivan and constructed in 1890, the once grand hall had fallen into disrepair by 2003. Located in the Auditorium Building, the hall originally had plaster and carved wood ornament, 17 stained-glass lunette windows and gold-leaf stenciled arches punctuated with 10 intricate cast-iron electric-chandeliers, which were later replaced with plain white globes. Based on archival photos, new chandeliers were molded and cast, replicated down to the Edison carbon filament light bulbs. New seating, carpeting, a reconstructed stage, partial woodwork repair, and new mechanical system enhance listening to music in the hall. Jurors were wowed by the technical aspects of restoring this historically important masterpiece. They were particularly impressed with the craftsmanship of the lighting.