ART INSTALLATION - STRUCTURAL DESIGN
This ethereal art installation features two delicate clouds, seemingly weightless as they float in suspension. The piece poetically evokes the concept of “waiting in the clouds,” creating a space for contemplation on anticipation and the passage of time.
My role was the comprehensive structural design and engineering of the entire piece. The challenge was to achieve the artist's vision of effortless grace while ensuring absolute safety and stability. The solution was an intricate and precisely calibrated internal skeleton of custom aluminum trusses, completely concealed from view. This lightweight armature was elegantly balanced by a network of high-tensile steel cables, anchored to just three strategic points to maintain the illusion of the clouds floating unaided.
The success of the installation relied on this hidden structural rigor. My design calculated the precise tensions and loads to create a stable yet dynamic form, allowing the heavy materials to appear to defy gravity. This meticulous engineering was fundamental to realizing the artistic vision, enabling the interplay of light and form to create a profound sense of lightness and transience.
Artist : Lucy Orta.
Engineering Company: Atelier One
Location: London Uk
Status: Completed
