(continued)

Without technical historical documents, the original French-American research team had to rely on old photos, notes, and calculations to create a complete set of architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical computerized drawings used to construct numerous models.

The French partners left the project shortly after the research phase, to be replaced by a public-private partnership that involved the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and the National Park Service.

The issue of preservation versus restoration was complicated by the need to address a structural weakness in the upraised right arm and shoulder, and in the evaluation of materials and methods to repair the decaying iron framework and the torch, badly damaged by water and organic deposits.

The shoulder was repaired using a low-carbon stainless steel (to replace the original iron), separated from the copper cladding by a silicon-backed Teflon tape. The torch, which had suffered over time from a series of modifications, was replaced with a replication.

The project required complex construction of a freestanding protective scaffolding that met stringent safety requirements. The team had 18 months to complete all repairs, in addition to constructing new bronze entrance doors with ten bas-relief panels and creating a natural cooling system.

In the end, the design modifications ensured structural integrity while leaving relatively untouched a symbol of hope and freedom for a world citizenry.

Swanke Hayden Connell Architects are well known for their work on a wide range of residential, commercial, municipal, and institutional preservation projects.

This article was excerpted from Historic Preservation: Project Planning & Estimating, which is available at Amazon.com.

Editor's note: This statue was originally designed and constructed without the use of any computer software.

Project Credits:
Architect: Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
Associated Architect: The Office of Thierry W. Despont
Structural and Mechanical Engineers: Ammann & Whitney, Inc.
Construction Manager: Lehrer/McGovern, Inc.
Owner: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Client: The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
Staff Architect/Engineer: GSGSB

The new replacement torch closely resembles the original torch, but with a modified flame design. Photo: Howard R. Katz Section view of the Statue's head. Image: Swanke Hayden Connell Architects Plan view of the Statue's head. Image: Swanke Hayden Connell Architects Computer model documenting the Statue's structural system. Image: Swanke Hayden Connell Architects   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.