Clayton University Center: Stained Glass Windows Being Rebuilt

The gothic-style clerestory windows framed with green and red panes of glass in the Great Room of the Clayton University Center at Packer Hallare among those being rebuilt as part of an extensive renovation of the iconic building at the heart of campus.

Beyer Studioin Philadelphia has been rebuilding nine windows from what used to be the Asa Packer Room, now known as the Great Room, said Jim LaRose, lead project manager with Lehigh Facilities. Clerestory windows are placed high on a wall, above eye-level.

"A lot of them were too damaged to be cleaned effectively," LaRose said, so Beyer Studio is creating new stained glass and putting those windows back as they were.

The windows haven't had any work done to them in decades. They may have been cleaned during the last major renovation of the building in the 1950s, but facilities has no record of that, LaRose said.

The windows were made in a diamond pattern and will be fully disassembled of all old leading, the material that holds the glass pieces together.

"We will be replacing any broken and missing glass, but retaining and reusing everything that we possibly can," said Michael Mioskie, general manager of Beyer Studio. "After the glass repairs are complete, the windows will be reassembled with all new leading matching the originals used."

The stained glass will be protected by clear glass on the outside.

Another 168 clear glass windows on the Clayton UC have been replaced by Marvin Windowsand Doors, headquartered in Northern Minnesota. The existing windows were from the 1950s, when a substantial renovation and addition was done. LaRose said.

Lehigh planning, design and construction staff along with the project's design team looked at historical photographs of the Clayton UC windows as far back as they could find. The new windows don't have cross-bracing on them so there's more surface area for light to come in.

Designed by architect Edward Tuckerman Potter (1831-1904), the structure was the first one built for Lehigh in 1868 by university founder Asa Packer.

The Clayton UC was expanded and renovated in 1956. Launched by a donation from Kevin L. Clayton '84 '13P and Lisa A. Clayton '13P, the latest renovation is expected to be finished in summer 2025.

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