Community Academy, Washington DC

History met its match when Advanced Architectural Grilles fabricated custom grille assemblies to duplicate old castings on an auditorium restoration project. Preserving the appearance of the original cast grilles for the Community Academy in Washington, DC was paramount, as was an economical approach.

Advanced Architectural Grilles used waterjet technology to etch lines in ¼” thick aluminum, duplicating the original ornamental grille pattern. Field dimensions, provided by the client, were followed flawlessly throughout the project. The finishing touch, which added additional depth and detail, was achieved by plug-welding stamped aluminum rosettes on the face of the grilles.

Because the custom grilles covered two oversized openings, 5’ wide by 12’ high, Advanced Architectural Grilles’ designers and engineers opted to fabricate the units in manageable sections with mechanical alignment fasteners. They supplied the contractor with hardware and mounting angles to facilitate a smooth installation.

Using a blend of historical research and cutting edge technology, Advanced Architectural Grilles was proud to participate in this historical renovation.