The inspiration of the baldacchino comes from renaissance architect Fililppo Brunelleschi and baroque genius Gianlorenzo Bernini.  Brunelleschi.s  use of classical elements of design and proportion is fused with Bernini’s dynamic sculptural curved forms to create an original architectural hybrid..

      The real challenge of this project was the creation of a freestanding roofed groin vault resting on  decorative support columns .  It starts by determining what size is proportional with respect to the location and how high it would eventually become.  Five feet square allowed  for a central three foot arch  with one foot on each side.  Footings were dug three feet into the ground  two feet square for each corner. Solid concrete was poured just below grade with rebar extending two feet to join the pedestal.  The forms were set for the pedestals and rebar was extended in the center for the column attachment. 5” diameter steel columns with  base plates were bolted to the pedestal tops to act as the main support for the groin vault.  The twisted concrete columns were cast in 12” sections with a hollow in the center to slip over the steel columns. They were set  in mortar one on top of another turning  to form a spiral .

     Wood forms specially constructed  for the four intersecting arches making up the groin vault were set and shored ready for concrete pouring. Rebar was set in the forms that extended down into the hollow steel columns.  The columns were then filled with concrete prior to the vault. For the vault a special formula of concrete was created consisting of strong lightweight aggregate material made from foam concrete.   This allowed the concrete mass to be one third the normal weight of standard concrete thus lessening the bearing weight on the four columns.

     All the decorative elements and trim were custom made to be duplicated in molds and cast in white cement.  The brick veneer  comes from the center slice of  used bricks that reveal the dynamic colors within.  They were then set in a diamond pattern and grouted to simulate tile work. 

     The roof structure was formed with concrete block stepped back to form a hipped roof with a flat top.  Red terracotta roof tiles were hand formed with clay and fired at high temperature to be frost proof. They were then set in cement to cover  and protect the groin vault. A pre-cast  concrete gutter was set to divert water to the four corners were carved terracotta gargoyles spit the water away.

     Finally, the cupola was assembled with all its cast components. It was then hoisted in place on the flat top of the hip roof. An 8” white concrete ball finial was the attached to the top of the octagonal cupola .