Decorative Grille Creative Process – Functional Work of Art

Creating a Functional Work of Art requires skill, time, attention to details and the best materials and processes.  Beaux-Arts classic products uses  this process for all our 3-dimensional HVAC decorative grille styles.

We chose to create this Empire style HVAC grille as it represents the second phase of the Neo-Classical  period which followed the more highly ornamental style of the Louis XIV period.

Our Louis XIV Style Decorative Grille

Creative Process Historical Design Research

The Neo Classical style was the result of Louis XV financing archeological excavations of Pompeii and unearthed the Roman cities destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.  When the ash was carefully removed from scores of Roman Villas, the archeologists noticed that the classical ornament was more delicate and refined than previously thought during the Baroque period.  This was the beginning of the New Classic Style.

The Empire Style was also inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte’s conquest of Egypt in 1798-1801.  Since he had already defeated Italian and Austrian armies in Italy, his capture of Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt started comparisons of Napoleon to Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire.  In 1804 Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France, which became the official start date of the Empire Period in Architectural Design.

The Empire Style paid tribute to the Greek Empire and adopted the “Egg and Dart” frieze ornament which utilizes the oval shape shields and long spears of Alexander’s Greek phalanxes.  In this respect the Empire Style employs the “mechanics of victory” or ornamental motif.  We selected the Egg and Dart as the moulding to frame our grille design.

The Empire period also draws from the Roman Empire represented by the Roman arch.  This architectural feature was not invented by the Romans, but they utilized them in building aqueducts, bridges and basilicas.  The “Palmette” which is stylized palm tree fronds was first employed as a motif by Alexander the Great after he conquered Egypt in 332BC.   The Empire style is based largely on masculine regimental elements based on  order and symmetry.

Beaux-Arts Classic Products Design Process

All the design details for our Empire Style Decorative grille are ready to be drawn with Rhino 3-D software.  Another software program is used to calculate cutting the master with a CNC.

CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control. It is a computerized manufacturing process in which pre-programmed software and code controls the movement of production equipment.

Drill bits need to be changed during the cutting process.  The first bit creates the rough cut.  Depending on the size of the master the next cut can take as much as 24-72 hours and require replacing the drill bit.  The final cut uses a finishing drill bit.

The completed master is ready to have a rubber mold made.

Functional Works of Art Finishing Process

• Making a rubber mold of the master is the next step.  Our molds need to be replaced regularly depending on the rubber, frequency of the casting, color of the powders used and how tight the grille pattern is.  Usually it is between 20-30 casts.
• Depending on the finish, Mica powders are dusted on the inside of the mold prior to hand casting with resin.
• Arts and Crafts casting in a rubber mold.

• All the grilles are cured overnight in large ovens.

• Sand and Drill screw holes
• Hand Finish.  Most of our Finishes require 2-3 steps to create our realistic and handsome finishes.
• Seal Coat
• Package and Shipping

Functional Works of Art

Spotlight on our decorative grilles.  All of our products which incorporate our decorative grilles are Functional Works of Art which are made to be used.    They are designed to serve a purpose.  They are designed artistically to be beautiful and timeless.  They are created to last a generation.

• Functional Art is designed to make us rethink the way we look at ordinary things.  Customer Before and After Pictures