2025 Project Overview
This undertaking began with a thorough survey of the tiles, led by Executive Director Rob Blackshaw, to identify which ones are original,which were replaced in the 1930s, and which were replaced during the 1987-1992 restoration. The diagram below denotes the findings of the survey and identifies the tiles that will be replaced in the current project. With the replacement of all tiles that date to 1931 and 1991, 685 tiles in total will be replaced during the project.
Glass Supplier & Production Process
A key factor in making this project possible was finding the right contractors for the job - a team that could not only recreate the glass tiles to match the originals, but that would also understand the importance of the project. After seeing the mock-ups of their glass tiles, Capitol staff chose Lucid Glass Studio of Providence, RI, for the job. Once the tiles have been created, Lansing Glass Company will install them in the rotunda.
The Lucid Glass team of East Providence, Rhode Island.
The cooling glass pour with the casting mold removed.
Lucid Glass Studio of East Providence, Rhode Island.
Controlling the cooling of the tile using applied heat.
Lucid glazier gathering sample for color testing.
Antique and distressed colored glass samples.
Pouring molten glass, or hot glass, into a casting mold.
Lucid Glass sample tile comparison with original tile from the Michigan State Capitol glass floor.