Glasbau Hahn has received a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award certificate from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, recognising our contribution to the restoration and enhancement of The Frick Collection in New York.

The distinction came as a complete surprise. We had neither applied for the award nor put ourselves forward, and we were unaware that the project and its contributors had been nominated. To receive this recognition without having sought it makes the award especially meaningful.

In its letter, the New York Landmarks Conservancy states that Glasbau Hahn’s “commitment to excellence has been vital in preserving the architectural integrity of this building” and acknowledges our outstanding contribution to its preservation.

This reference to architectural integrity is particularly important to us. Our responsibility at the Frick extended beyond protecting the works of art inside our display cases. It also concerned the way in which new technical constructions were introduced into a complex, historically significant and landmarked building.

Preservation therefore operated on two inseparable levels: the preventive conservation of the objects and the careful preservation of the architectural fabric that surrounds them.

The conservation-grade display cases had to provide stable and secure environments for exceptional works of art while integrating with restraint into the Frick’s historic interiors. Their installation required a detailed understanding of the existing building, its structural conditions and the many interfaces between architecture, exhibition design, lighting, conservation, security and museum operations.

Because Glasbau Hahn was involved at an early stage, structural requirements and potential conflicts could be identified before installation. In one of the historic rooms, for example, the integration of the display cases required careful coordination of additional structural support within the existing floor construction. Prototyping and continuous design development allowed technical solutions to be tested and refined in relation to the objects, the rooms and the protected architectural fabric.

This approach was possible because experienced teams on both sides worked together openly and with a shared sense of responsibility. Glasbau Hahn contributed its long-standing experience in integrating conservation-grade display cases into historic museum buildings. The Frick team contributed its profound knowledge of the collection, the building and its operational requirements.

The project was designed by Selldorf Architects, with Beyer Blinder Belle serving as Executive Architect. Our display cases were developed in close collaboration with exhibition designer Stephen Saitas of Stephen Saitas Designs and Anita Jorgensen Lighting Design.

We would particularly like to thank the Frick team members with whom we worked so closely:

• Carolyn Straub, Associate Director for Capital Projects

• Luisa Herrera, Senior Manager for Capital Projects

• Jenna Nugent, Curatorial Project Manager

• Joseph Godla, Chief Conservator

Their knowledge, experience and openness to interdisciplinary collaboration were fundamental to the result.

The Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award belongs to a remarkable collective achievement involving the Frick Collection, architects, designers, conservators, project managers, craftspeople and specialist contractors.

For Glasbau Hahn, this unexpected recognition confirms a principle at the heart of our work: protecting cultural heritage means caring not only for the objects on display, but also for the historic spaces entrusted to receive them.

https://nylandmarks.org/event/the-36th-annual-lucy-g-moses-preservation-awards/