With great joy, Heritage Restoration and Design Studio and the renovation teams at Unity Temple are
proud to announce that we received the 2018 Docomomo “Special Award of Restoration Excellence.”
Throughout the past decade, the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation planned and prepared for the
restoration of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in historic Oak Park,
Illinois. Under the orchestration of the premier historic architects, Harboe Architects, Chicago-based
Project Management Advisors and the Berglund Construction Company, restoration companies like
Heritage were entrusted with the task of bringing back to life this international symbol of early modern
architecture. In a testament to the restoration, the work at Unity Temple spurred the creation of the
Special Award of Restoration Excellence as the newest categorical award offered by the US national
chapter of Docomomo. We at Heritage Restoration are honored to be apart of this project and to receive
recognition for the work we performed.
About Docomomo:
Docomomo, is an international organization that has an interest in documenting, preserving and
acclaiming the merits of the modern arts. This includes architecture, art, manuscripts and many other
forms of human artifacts. Among their many duties, the American chapter of the institution critiques
architecture and issues awards for structures that are outstanding in their field. In 2018, Docomomo’s
national chapter panel created a unique award for restoration excellence driven by the Unity Temple
Project.
About Heritage’s work:
Heritage Restoration and Design Studio was responsible with the restoration and replica fabrication of
all of the historic millwork in Unity Temple. This included tens of thousands of feet of running trim,
wood light fixtures, pews, cabinetry, hand rails, doors and windows. Special care had to be taken to
ensure that the boards unique ID numbers were maintained so they could be reinstalled in their
appropriate location. Custom finishes were selected to create a historically accurate look. A great deal
of attention went into each and every component of the project to insure accurate historical
representation and uniformity across the entire structure.
Links:
https://www.docomomo-us.org/news/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2018-modernism-in-america-awards