Waldorf 8x8

WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL Finishes Analysis

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WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL In 2017, the Waldorf-Astoria embarked on a massive renovation project that included the restoration of the exterior and interior Landmark spaces. Building Conservation Associates, Inc. led the design and implementation of the restoration treatments on the interior of the building.

As part of this work, BCA conducted a comprehensive finishes analysis of 34 interior historic spaces in the building in order to piece together the historic palette and inform the restoration design for the spaces.

FINISHES ANALYSIS

Understanding the intricate finishes of the spaces required removal of almost one thousand, thumb tack-sized samples from the decorative walls and ceilings. BCA spent countless hours in the field, investigating finishes with magnifying loupes and handheld microscopes before carefully removing samples for preparation and examination in the laboratory. In the laboratory, samples were prepared and viewed in cross-section under varying light sources at different levels of magnification. Micro-exposures were then performed under the microscope using the remaining bulk samples.

A conservator works from a lift in Basildon to examine paint evidence before removing samples for laboratory examination.

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FINISHES ANALYSIS The results of the laboratory analyses yielded a number of findings on the original colors, but also suggested that some finishes were so complex that microscopic analysis had to be supplemented by further work in the field. With BCA’s vast experience identifying historic finishes, it was clear to our team that the original appearance of many of these surfaces was made up of a multi-layered finishes scheme that utilized translucent glazes over opaque paints.

Understanding the original overall appearance for these finishes became particularly challenging with the delicate finishes in the Basildon Room.

The room was assembled from portions of a room in Basildon Park mansion in Berkshire, England designed by John Carr in 1771. The painted panels, intricately carved stone fireplace, and portions of plaster found in the hotel ballroom were purchased from Basildon Park, while the remaining decorative plaster walls and the coffered ceiling were cast replicas of the ceiling and walls of the original estate.

An ‘exposure window’ on the plaster ceiling in Basildon. The ceiling had been overpainted with a dark brown paint. The red paint (arrow) is the origial exposed layer, identified through cross section analysis.

In order to confirm our findings, and reveal the original finishes on the plaster surfaces, BCA returned to the field to perform exposures on larger sections of the ceiling.

BCA conservators carefully utilized specifically-chosen chemicals and tools to remove over layers of paint and expose the target layers identified earlier through cross-section analysis in the laboratory to reveal the original appearance. The exposed areas were then matched to colors in commercial paint palettes, and will be adjusted appropriately in design to properly respond to contemporary lighting conditions.

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