CONSERVATION of the Windows

In 2005, when work began on the Art Institute's Modern Wing, the museum made a detailed assessment to determine which areas would be most directly impacted by the construction, and which objects might be adversely affected by construction-related vibrations. The results of this study indicated that America Windows—located less than 50 feet from the building site—should be temporarily deinstalled for safekeeping. This deinstallation was the first in its 28-year history at the museum; it provided a unique opportunity to carefully study the windows.