AlbanyMural Ltd

During renovation and restoration projects there are often phases of the work that require temporary structures, barriers or protective panels that detract from the building aesthetics. These can be masked or minimized with trompe l'oeil architectural painting techniques in order to restore the appearance of the work area.

The example below, from the New York State Capitol Building is an example of this type of temporary architectural painting. When renovation is completed, the trompe l'oeil painted barrier will be removed.

BEFORE: Elevator renovation barrier in New York State Capitol Building hallway. These panels have been erected to enclose an empty elevator shaft while the building was being renovated.

AFTER: Barrier painted in trompe l'oeil marble and granite panels and wall coatings to match the undisturbed sections of the hallway. 

Restoration of damaged structures and elements can be completed with the application of Keim waterglass pigments to restore original color design schemes and finishes.

The example below from the New York State Capitol Building Assembly Chamber shows how original pigments can be restored.

BEFORE: New York State Assembly Chamber gallery window and surround showing water damage and efflorescence prior to restoration, missing original vermilion red, ultramarine blue and gold paints.

AFTER: New York State Assembly Chamber gallery window and surround after repair to stonework and AlbanyMural restoration with Keim paints. Stained glass window has also been replaced.

When damage to structures or substrates is extensive and architectural painting cannot be restored, replication of those paintings and design elements on a newly prepared surface will recreate the original visual composition.

The example below from the Peabody-Essex museum's Yin Yu Tang Chinese house reconstruction shows how this can be accomplished.

Yin Yu Tang House is a late 18th century Chinese house from Anhui province that had been removed from its original village and re-erected at the Peabody Essex Museum at in Salem, Massachusetts. The original exterior murals and decoration on the houses' outer skin were destroyed during the deconstruction and needed to be replicated when the house was rebuilt and given a new exterior substrate coating.

 Photo of original building ornamentation detail before deconstruction.

Examples of recreated, replications of the original ornamentation.

For more information about Yin Yu Tang: