Photos by Shelly Hanks, WSU Photos Services, and Tim Marsh, WSU Today
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Video by Adam Wallberg, WSU News Service Intern |
PULLMAN – Removal of the four clock faces and the clock mechanism in WSU’s landmark Bryan Clock Tower continues this week. The north clock face was removed Friday, June 11, and on Tuesday, June 15, the west face was removed.
The two-month long project will restore and modernize the tower’s clock faces.
For the past century, maintenance to the heavy wood clock faces has been conducted by workers who have perched themselves on a rope platform, dangling 100-plus feet above the ground. To say the least, it was a risky proposition, especially with Pullman’s gusty winds. (To see a photo gallery of the clock tower, including historic shots of students painting the clock face in 1922 click here.)
The new clock system, designed by architect Richard Kizer, WSU Facilities Operartions, will allow FacOps workers to swing the faces inside the tower for maintenance in a safe, prompt, cost-efficient manner.
Each face is 10 feet in diameter and includes eight red curved neon bulbs that wrap their way around the metal rims.
The new faces will be made of aluminum, reinforced with steel. The old clock motor and gear-drives will be replaced with four individual clock mechanisms connected to a computerized controller. No aesthetic changes will be made. The goal is to keep the landmark clock as original looking as possible.
The renovation of the clock faces is scheduled to be completed Aug. 13, just prior to the start of fall semester.
The new faces will be made of aluminum, reinforced with steel. The old clock motor and gear-drives will be replaced with four individual clock mechanisms connected to a computerized controller. No aesthetic changes will be made. The goal is to keep the landmark clock as original looking as possible.
The renovation of the clock faces is scheduled to be completed Aug. 13, just prior to the start of fall semester.
Doug Lopes, is the FacOps construction coordinator the project.
Related:
03-30-10 WSU Today – Historic and new photo gallery: Bryan Clock Tower to receive facelift (photos and interview with architect Richard Kizer, WSU Facilities Operation)