Giving New Life to a Historic Treasure: Preserving the Queen Wilhelmina Window with ACRYLITE® GALLERY ACRYLIC
A Heritage Treasure Without a Home
When a historic town hall underwent a transformation from a civic landmark into four luxury residences, one important piece of local heritage suddenly found itself without a home.
A large stained-glass window created in 1923 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Queen Wilhelmina's reign had long been a cherished feature of the building. Donated by local residents and crafted by renowned Haarlem glassmaker Willem Bogtman, the artwork held both historical and emotional significance for the community. For generations, it had served as a backdrop for countless wedding photographs in the town hall.
But after the renovation, there was no longer space for the original installation.
Rather than allowing this piece of history to disappear from public view, architectural firm DSH Architects engaged design studio SemperNovum, to create a new way to preserve, protect and display the century-old stained-glass masterpiece.
A Unique Preservation Challenge
The project presented several technical hurdles. The stained-glass window measured approximately 89” x 53” and weighed around 154 lbs. The new display location, a niche within the entrance hall of the renovated building, offered only limited installation depth. At the same time, the historic artwork required protection from accidental damage while remaining fully visible to visitors.
The design team also wanted to transform the window into an illuminated work of art. A custom lighting system featuring LEDs, a laser-patterned acrylic light guide and diffuser film was developed to provide even illumination across the entire surface.
The challenge was clear: create a thin, elegant and protective display system that allowed viewers to experience the stained glass itself, not reflections on a protective cover.
Seeing the Artwork, Not the Glazing
To achieve this goal, SemperNovum selected ACRYLITE® Gallery acrylic. Installed in front of the historic stained-glass panel, the 1/8” non-glare acrylic sheet serves as a protective barrier while minimizing distracting reflections that can interfere with the viewing experience.
In display environments, reflections from windows, lighting fixtures and surrounding architecture can compete with the artwork itself. For a brightly illuminated stained-glass installation, preserving visual clarity was essential.
The non-glare surface of ACRYLITE® Gallery diffuses reflections, helping viewers focus on the color, craftsmanship and fine details of the original artwork. Instead of seeing their own reflection or overhead lighting, visitors can appreciate the stained-glass window much as it was intended to be seen.
Lightweight Protection for Historic Art
For large-format heritage applications, weight can be just as important as optical performance.
Traditional glass glazing may provide transparency, but it can significantly increase overall system weight and introduce challenges during fabrication, transportation and installation. Acrylic offers an attractive alternative by combining exceptional optical quality with substantially lower weight and greater impact resistance.
By incorporating ACRYLITE® Gallery non-glare SemperNovum was able to provide a durable protective layer for the historic window while supporting the project's thin-profile design requirements. The result is a display system that protects a fragile cultural artifact without visually overwhelming it.
Blending Preservation with Modern Design
Today, the Queen Wilhelmina stained-glass window has begun a new chapter.
Suspended within the entrance hall of the restored town hall, the illuminated artwork continues to tell its story to residents and visitors alike. What was once at risk of losing its place within the building has been reimagined as a striking architectural feature that bridges past and present.
The project demonstrates how modern materials can help preserve cultural heritage without compromising aesthetics. By combining innovative lighting, thoughtful engineering and the optical performance of ACRYLITE® Gallery, SemperNovum transformed a century-old stained-glass window into a contemporary display that remains protected, visible and inspiring.
Whether preserving historic stained glass, showcasing fine art or protecting valuable displays, ACRYLITE® Gallery products help deliver exceptional clarity, protection and viewing experiences. Explore the complete ACRYLITE® Gallery product family to find the right solution for your next project.
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