Yale University Morse College Lighting Restoration
<< Previous | Main | Next >>

Project Overview
Specifications
AD3 & AE1 Photos
AL6 & AL1 Photos
AE8 & AD4 Photos
Contacts
Client Updates

New Haven, CT's Morse College & Ezra Stiles Colleges are two of the twelve residential colleges at Yale University, built in 1961 and designed by architect Eero Saarinen, a master of American 20th Century architecture. The two buildings are adjacent to each other and similar in design. Morse College is named after Samuel Morse, a Yale graduate and inventor of Morse Code. Ezra Stiles College is named after Rev. Ezra Stiles, president of Yale from 1778-1795.

Morse & Stiles Colleges are eclectic structures built on an odd, angular site with many design features that are reminiscent of the Tuscan villages, most notably San Gimignano. In a modern attempt to capture the spirit of Gothic architecture, Saarinen eliminated all right angles from the living areas. Although controversial, the two buildings are considered by many architecture critics to be masterpieces of American architecture.

Grand Light was selected to completely restore and modify a large number of the original fixtures from the two schools, beginning with Morse College. These fixtures included multiple bronze sconces, bronze chandeliers, exterior poles and luminaires, library lights, and numerous massive bronze outdoor lighting fixtures. The fixtures were designed by Oliver Andrews, a well known and respected California sculptor, author and educator at UCLA. His designs, abstract in nature, where intended to be contemporary versions of what he considered "the sort of thing you'd find in an ancient castle".

In addition to restoring, rewiring, refinishing and repairing the fixtures as needed, Grand Light will upgrade the lighting sources to energy efficient systems and provide a CFL dimming system for the large bronze dining hall fixtures.

The restoration and modification of existing luminaires shall consist of, electrical wiring, custom component fabrication, testing, cleaning and component refinishing.

Physical restoration shall consist of the repair or replacement of any parts that are missing, broken, or damaged. Replacement shall match the original parts in strength and appearance, including degree of detail.

Electrical restoration shall consist of the replacement of all electrical components and wiring. Luminaires shall be wired with UL listed components and tested in accordance with UL standards

For specific modifcations per fixture type, click the appropriate image below: