In 2019, we were proud to be part of the transformative restoration of the historic Franklin School in Washington, D.C., now home to Planet Word, an innovative museum dedicated to the power of language. Our role in the project focused on a wide range of plaster restoration and installation work that balanced historical preservation with modern functionality.
Our work began with the sculpting and restoration of column capitals throughout the building. Many of these decorative elements had deteriorated over time, and we used archival references and on-site molds to accurately reconstruct missing or damaged details, restoring them to their original 19th-century craftsmanship. Similarly, we meticulously repaired and recreated wall trim mouldings, ensuring each profile matched the building’s historic character.
A major component of our contribution involved the installation of StarSilent acoustical plaster, a modern, sound-absorbing system critical to the auditory-focused exhibits in Planet Word. We installed this system in the Great Hall, stairwell corridors, and classrooms, integrating high-performance acoustic treatment without compromising the historic integrity of the architecture.
Throughout the project, we collaborated closely with architects, preservation specialists, and museum planners to deliver a result that honors the building’s past while supporting its future as a dynamic, interactive space. This project exemplified the marriage of traditional plaster craftsmanship with forward-thinking museum design.