Masonic Temple Auditorium Mural Window
California Masonic Memorial Temple
San Francisco, CA

In 1957, Emile Norman completed his largest art piece: a 38-foot-tall by 48-foot-wide, decorative mural window consisting of 45 acrylic panels. These panels are assemblies consisting of two acrylic sheets, one slightly textured, the other clear, with a design layer of small pieces of colored acrylic glass and other materials sandwiched between. Cracks have appeared in some of the panels and a few have admitted dirt and moisture. Some delamination and discoloration also occurred, and in a number of panels, the existing adhesive between the panels failed, causing the design layer to fall from its original position.

This project involved testing of conservation treatments to determine the appropriateness of the treatments for the entire project and to refine the cost projection for the work. One typical panel was removed from the window wall assembly using window glazing equipment and moved to a storage area for conservation treatments. Treatments that were tested included restoring structural integrity by re-adhering separation between panels, moving detached tessera back into position, treatment of cracks in the acrylic sheets and cleaning. The panel was then reinstalled after the work described. Each task was timed, and from this information gathering an accurate cost estimate of the entire project was derived.