Custom Lighting and Design Assist

Custom Lighting Design and Fabrication

When a project requires something that isn't in our catalog, we build it. Our custom lighting process covers everything from initial concept through finished fixture, entirely in-house at our 50,000 square foot facility in Floyd, Virginia.

What Custom Means at Crenshaw

Custom lighting is not a standard fixture with minor modifications. It is a fixture designed and fabricated from scratch to meet specific requirements. This includes:

• Original design: Starting from sketches, photographs, or descriptions of a fixture that doesn't exist
• Historical replication: Reversing period fixtures for government buildings, universities, churches, and landmark residences
• Material substitutions: Changing brass to bronze, adding crystal, incorporating specific glass or fabric elements
• Dimension modifications: Scaling fixtures for specific spaces while maintaining proportion and historical accuracy
• Finish customization: Developing specific patinas, color matches, or surface treatments for unique applications

The Process

Every custom project follows the same disciplined process that we apply to all of our work:

1. Consultation: We discuss your requirements, review reference materials, and understand the space and aesthetic goals
2. Design: Our designers create sketches and renderings. We provide input on materials, proportions, and construction methods based on decades of experience
3. Engineering: Detailed drawings and specifications are developed. We determine the construction method and materials required
4. Fabrication: The fixture is built entirely in-house using our own equipment and craftsmen
5. Testing: Every fixture is tested in our UL co-witness laboratory before shipping
6. Delivery: Finished fixtures are carefully packed and shipped. Site support is available through Forge Electric, our sister company

Our Capabilities

Our facility contains the equipment and skilled labor to handle any custom lighting project:

• Machine shop: CNC and manual mills, lathes for precision metalworking
• Glass studio: Hot and cold glass fabrication for custom glass elements
• Welding: MIG, TIG, and laser welding for brass, bronze, steel, and aluminum
• Finishing: Powder coating, liquid finishes, and hand-applied patina work
• Wood shop: Custom wood components and assembly
• UL co-witness laboratory: ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited testing facility

Design Assist Services

We work closely with architects, lighting designers, and specifications teams. Whether you're drawing inspiration from historical precedents, integrating modern innovations, or conceptualizing something entirely unique, we provide thoughtful input on materials, proportions, and construction methods.

Our iterative design process ensures precision in execution while fostering innovative solutions that elevate your space. We collaborate through sketch development, rendering refinement, and prototyping until the design meets your exact requirements.

Lead Times and Communication

Custom projects vary in scope and complexity. We provide transparent lead time estimates at the outset and maintain regular communication throughout the fabrication process. When you need a custom finish, a material change, or a historical replication, we handle it in-house. The same team that designs the light builds it.

For a glimpse into our collaborative process, explore our portfolio to see the work we've delivered for clients across the country.