Senior Design Team Installs Smart Protection System for Drexel Mural

For their senior design project, a team of Drexel Engineering Technology students set out to protect something meant to last. Their mission: design a discreet and effective security system for a newly installed mural that is part of the Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery in Drexel’s Main Building.

“In the Garden,” created in 1980 by Jennifer Bartlett, consists of 270 one-foot square steel plates, painted with Testor’s PLA enamel and installed with four nails each. This mural is significant to Drexel, and the installation will remain in place indefinitely.

Grace Peterson, Ngozi Enwereji, Nathaniel Haye, and Chase Donnelly were drawn to the project not only for its technical challenge, but also for the chance to leave a visible legacy on campus.

“We wanted to work on something that would still be here after we graduated,” said Nathaniel. “This felt like a way to make a lasting impact at Drexel.”

The group was selected after expressing interest and interviewing with Lynn Clouser Waddell, executive director of University collections & exhibitions. With Peterson and Donnelly focused on electrical systems, Haye handling mechanical design, and Enwereji contributing expertise in robotics, the team brought a balanced mix of disciplines to the table. They began by conducting a threat analysis to identify possible risks, ranging from someone touching the mural to more serious scenarios like vandalism or theft.

“We broke it down by what was most likely and what would cause the most damage,” said Donnelly. “That helped us figure out how many layers of security we would need.”

Their final design uses a three-part system: motion sensors to detect when someone gets too close, magnetic proximity sensors to monitor the presence of the mural’s metal panels, and a machine vision setup that can flag visual disturbances like paint splashes or missing elements.

Enwereji emphasized the importance of subtlety in the installation. “The whole point is to protect the mural without interfering with how people experience it. You shouldn't see a big device and think about security. You should see the artwork.”

The team consulted with Drexel Public Safety to understand existing systems and ensure compatibility. They also researched museum-grade technologies and learned from industry examples where unobtrusive protection is a priority. Their system integrates with Drexel’s internal software so that serious events, like a missing panel, are reported directly to campus security. Minor incidents, like someone getting too close, are handled with an on-site audio alert.

“Seven-year-olds are going to try to touch the wall,” joked Peterson. “You don’t need to call security every time that happens, but you do want something that gently reminds them to step back.”

Installing the system came with its own challenges. The Main Building’s age and architecture meant the students had to work within tight physical constraints. The high ceilings complicated placement for cameras and sensors, and access behind the mural was limited. The team had to design for both effectiveness and long-term maintenance.

“We had to think ahead,” said Haye. “If something goes wrong in the future, how can it be fixed without tearing everything apart?”

Throughout the process, the students worked closely with both Clouser and their faculty advisors to refine their approach and make sure the final product met everyone’s expectations. As installation began, they turned their attention to validation. This included testing every component and confirming that the system performs as intended.

They are aiming to finish completely before the end of the term. As Donnelly explained, “We don’t want to hand this off to next year’s team. We want this to be done, fully functional, and in use.”

Beyond protecting a single piece of art, the students hope their project sets a precedent for future collaborations between Drexel’s academic programs and campus operations.

“This is kind of a proof of concept,” said Enwereji. “If it works, maybe there’s a path for more students to contribute to Drexel itself, not just through internships or research, but through infrastructure and design.”

It is also something they are proud to sign their names to.

“As students, we don’t always get to build something that lives on after us,” said Peterson. “But this time, we did.”