Historic Biltmore Estate was in the direct path of Hurricane Helene as it tore through western North Carolina in September, 2024. A terra cotta sculpture of Flora, one of four groups created from 18th cent. models by Antoine Coysevox in the late 19th century for the South Terrace of the house, was knocked from its base and suffered extensive damages. HCA worked with the conservation team to assess the damages and determine a path forward. The Estate recreated the work in new terra cotta based on our recommendations. Another copy at The Huntington Library was laser scanned to produce a 3D model. This then was produced in a full scale from which molds were taken. The new terra cotta figure was created by Atelier Prométhée of Paris and shipped to the site. We coordinated with them and the Client throughout the process to ensure that the new work could be completed and installed correctly. Flora was returned to her place on the South Terrace at Biltmore in October 2026, just past 2 years after the its destruction.
