Mosaic Relocation and Restoration

mosaic removal and relocation

Extending Arms Of Christ, Bruce Hayes, Houston Methodist Hospital

RLA was retained by Hunt Construction Group to assess the feasibility of moving a 94’ long x 14’ high glass tesserae mural from an exterior wall above a hospital’s emergency room to an interior atrium under construction. We began with a series of tests to determine how to separate the mural from the back wall and how to move it. The mosaic’s location above the emergency room precluded the use of a crane, therefore the mural had to be cut into segments that could be lowered by gantry. Working in conjunction with an engineering firm and art handlers, we determined that this relocation was a feasible undertaking.

Titled Extending Arm of Christ, the mural is a distinctly modern feature of the 1963 hospital. RLA determined the method to best cut the mosaic into fragments without disrupting the design. We prepared mock ups to demonstrate that we could achieve the seamless repairs that would be key to the project’s success. We faced the mosaic, and worked with the art handlers to cut, remove, clean, and reassemble the mosaic. RLA then made approximately 800 linear feet of tesserae infill repairs and grouting. Original tesserae were reused wherever possible. We determined the cuts, in part, based on the possibility of sourcing replacement tesserae.

This project involved complex logistics and multiple phases. Nonetheless, the entire project was delivered on budget and schedule.