The Daily Home
Sunday, March 21, 1999
by: Susan Kitchens

Artistry and Architecture

A “baby company” in Talladega that has taken some giant steps in architecture and design is exhibiting a few examples of its cast iron work and metal sclptures at Heritage Hall this spring.

Allen Architectural Metals Inc. is only about four years old, but its architectural design in everything from subway entrances to street sign can be found across the mation from the Big Apple to the Windy City.

“We’re a baby company,” said Allen Architectural designer and project coordinator Darlene Lynn, “But I think it is pretty fair to say that we’ve undertaken some fairly high-profile jobs in the last couple of years.”

CEO and President John Allen says its successes have come from the opportunity to work  with numerous companies and individuals in the area, including M & W Aluminum, Butch Mitchell’s  welding and Talladega Foundry among others.

One of the company’s current projects: refurbishing the fountain in City Hall Park in New York City. Allen is recreating an 1874 design of the fountain, based on an artist’s rendering of the original structure.

The complete gas-light, granite structure will be “very elaborate,” complete with jewelry-grade bronze and 24-karat gold leafing, Mrs. Lynn said. It is planned for completion in September. “The fountain is located right in front of Mayor(Rudolph) Giuliani’s office in City Hall Park, and what we’ve been told is that the fountain will be a center-piece of the city,” she said.

Computer generated images of the completed structure, along with blueprints of the design, are on display at Heritage Hall.

In addition, viewers can see computer generated images and photographs of other projects Allen has completed, including an example of a cast lamp pole and lamp replicated to match the original design for the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago; a kiosk and ornamental railings created for Chicago’s Michigan Avenue; and a  replication of the original post for the south lawn of the Texas State Capitol Building in Austin Texas.

Not all of the Allen’s business, however, travels far from the Deep South: The company replicated and restored the ornamental railings for Alabama’s oldest hotel, The St. James Hotel, in Selma and Allen said the company has received inquires about the possibility of restoring Birmingham’s crumbling Vulcan. Allen was also responsible for creating the cast iron work on Talladega’s Ritz Theater marquee.

“We’ve been very fortunate to become involved in the city of Talladega, and with the civic leaders of this community.” Allen said. “ We’ve been given so much and we want to give back to the community of Talladega.”
Allen said one of the highlights of the company’s history took place recently, when Allen met with others in the industry to discuss restoring the dome of the United States Capitol building in Washington DC.

Heritage Hall director Tommy Moorehead said the Allen exhibit at the museum is unique and different from most artworks displayed at Heritage Hall.

“Art and architecture are very closely related. They actually go hand in hand,” Moorehead said. “Many people may not think about architecture and these types of metal castings projects as anything but serving a practical purpose. “But the projects Allen has on display this spring combine both practicality and aesthetics.”