Harvard Lampoon
Comprehensive façade restoration of Harvard's iconic castle-like Lampoon building — featuring masonry repair, decorative copper sheet metal, cast iron restoration, custom stone fabrication, and a hand-crafted code-compliant fire escape.
The Harvard Lampoon building, designed by Edmund M. Wheelwright in 1909, is known for its unique castle-like appearance and iconic turret designed to resemble a human face topped with a Prussian helmet.
CLIENT
Harvard Lampoon Club
STRUCTURE TYPE
Private Club Building
LOCATION
Cambridge, MA
Services Provided on This Project
Masonry Cleaning, Repair & Repointing
Decorative Copper Sheet Metal
Stone Fabrication & Installation
High Performance Coatings
Cast Iron Restoration
Restoring Hardvard's Iconic Castle
The Harvard Lampoon building houses a private club run by Harvard University students in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Designed and built in 1909 by Edmund M. Wheelwright — a Harvard graduate and founding member of the Harvard Lampoon Club — the building is well known for its unique shape and castle-like appearance. Most notably, when viewed from the front, the turret was designed to resemble a human face, complete with a Prussian helmet.
Cenaxo was selected as the Prime Contractor to perform masonry, carpentry, and cast iron restoration on the interior and exterior façade of the building. In conjunction with the restoration work, Cenaxo was responsible for facilitating the design, fabrication, and installation of a hand-crafted fire escape to bring the building into compliance with modern code standards.
A notable challenge during the project was the design and installation of a new solid mahogany egress door with a custom fabricated limestone surround that seamlessly matched the existing limestone. Cenaxo successfully completed this project by assembling the right team of design professionals, project managers, and skilled craftsmen.
Project Scope
- Masonry cleaning, repair, and repointing of the full exterior façade
- Decorative copper sheet metal restoration on the dome, turret, and roofline details
- Custom limestone surround fabrication and installation to match existing stonework
- Cast iron railing and ornamental metalwork restoration
- High performance protective coatings application
- Design and fabrication of a hand-crafted code-compliant fire escape
- Solid mahogany egress door design and installation
- Interior and exterior façade restoration
Custom Fire Escape Design
One of the most unique challenges of this project was designing and installing a hand-crafted fire escape that met modern building codes while respecting the historic character of Wheelwright's 1909 design. The result seamlessly integrates with the building's castle-like aesthetic.
Project Gallery
Progress Photos
Before
The Harvard Lampoon building prior to restoration, showing weathered masonry, deteriorated sheet metal, and aging coatings across the full exterior façade.
After
Following Cenaxo's comprehensive restoration — cleaned and repointed masonry, restored copper sheet metal, new fire escape, and high performance coatings throughout.
Let’s Protect What Matters Most
If you’re responsible for a historic building, choosing the right restoration partner matters. Cenaxo provides expert guidance from evaluation through execution — with clarity, care, and confidence.
