Kimpton Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge Commissions One-of-a-Kind Steampunk “Brandillary”
Photo by Kyle Perler at Kyle Klein Photography
An incredible artistically scientific way of heating one’s brandy on a chilly Boston night!
In late 2015, ModVic and Salmon Studios celebrated the unveiling of Celeste – a 25’ kinetic armillary sculpture that greets guests and sparks imaginations of visitors to the Kimpton Hotel Marlowe’s courtyard in Cambridge, MA.
Fast forward a little over two years: The hotel has completed a remodeling project of its Lobby Brandy Bar – and we have cause to celebrate another inventive scientific Steampunk sculpture, a mechanical instrument designed and calibrated to warm a glass of brandy to the ideal temperature – we offer you the Steampunk Brandillary!
Photo by Kyle Perler at Kyle Klein Photography
This device, standing 18” tall, is a much smaller version of its 25’ counterpart in the courtyard, and serves as a focal point to the hotel bar, capturing the attention of hotel guests and bar patrons alike. Bruce Rosenbaum of ModVic, LLC teamed up with Todd Cahill, of Steamachine Sculpture, to re-imagine a scientific instrument with the sole purpose of properly heating this popular beverage.
Bruce Rosenbaum and Todd Cahill with Brandillary
During their inventive process, the two consulted a trained mixologist to calculate the precise time needed to apply the perfect amount of heat and rotating movement.
Cahill, who is a mechanical artist, is well-versed in kinetic sculpture. The device utilizes a classic Edison phonograph motor to rotate a glass of brandy around a timed sterno flame. The self propelled motor must be cranked 8 times to initiate movement. The team found they needed to reduce the speed to 1 rpm from the phonograph’s 33 rpms in order to get the desired revolution to match one minute of flame heat – and viola, a beverage of optimal temperature.
The platform base consists of portals that allow the inner workings of the motor’s mechanism to be viewed.
The upper portion of the instrument, of course, was inspired by the armillary shape, matching the style and décor of Celeste in the hotel’s courtyard.
Photo by Brian Harris
“There’s lots of simple brandy warmers on the market,” said Bruce Rosenbaum. “But the Brandillary takes spirit warming to a whole new Steampunk level of complexity and fun. The top half of the device opens, you place the glass with brandy inside, then you wind the gears and watch it work. Looking at this in action gives me such a warm feeling.”
Joe Capalbo, General Manager of the Kimpton Hotel Marlowe, first suggested the design of the Brandillary based on the enthusiastic feedback of guests who encountered the Steampunk courtyard armillary sculpture. He said they wanted to bring that same “whimsical” appeal into the Lobby Brandy Bar as well.
Project Summary
Brandillary: A kinetic scientific device for heating a glass of brandy
Dimensions: 18” L x 18” W x 18” T
Materials: Brass parts, instrumentation, gears, glass portals, old Edison phonograph motor, and Sterno flame