Restoration of zodiac dome. (Rab & Linda)
Banqueting Hall, Edinburgh City Chambers.
2008
Borders Construction
The main Banqueting Chamber of Edinburgh City Council was restored by Borders Construction. We were sub-contracted to restore the glass domed ceiling and other works. |  |
Each panel was removed and fully restored. The panels were split as necessary and repaired, but not re-leaded. It is important to us to retain as much original lead and glass as possible. |  |
The panels were covered in 100 years of tobacco smoke, dust, and rat poo from the attic. The glass paint was tested for stability, then each panel was carefully cleaned. |  |
The ceiling was painted white, gilded and re-lit with new wiring. The attic space was restored. A huge internal scaffold was built. After five months, the zodiac was re-installed. |  |
Each panel was replaced. Thanks to Borders Construction for the "loan" of their joiner. |  |
Plastizote tape was used to install the panels instead of putty, to allow each panel to be easily removed in the future. Increasing the number of saddlebars was essential to prevent gravity sagging. |  |