This unique public artwork is an eye-popping 60' wide, 300' long and 14 stories high and was designed by Monica Ponce de Leon. The upper support frame was fabricated by Feature Walters from 80 tonnes of structural aluminum using purpose-built re-configurable fixtures which I designed. Suspended from the frame with 16 miles of liquid-crystal polymer cable is a field of curvaceous tubular forms with internal LED lighting.

In order to execute this sculpture in-house we also had to create and certify procedures for welding 1"-2" curved and tapered aluminum plate, which was achieved in record time, allowing components to begin flowing to the site on schedule.

(Images used courtesy of Feature Walters, JB and others)

View of complete work looking up from hotel lobby. Note effect of 16 miles of Vectran cable.

View of SolidWorks model of structure.

View of completed suspension frame. 80 tonnes of 5/8" - 2" aluminum, curving, tapering and twisting built-up sections with zero-tolerance butt connections to steel nodes.

Parts of a typical beam showing weld prep.

SolidWorks model of complex beam assembly jig designed by JB.

View of assembly jig designed by JB for the accurate alignment of components and control of assembly dimensions and geometry during assembly welding process.

Typical completed part prior to installation of pre-fitted match plates

SolidWorks model of master assembly fixture designed by JB. Note modular assembly benches used as scaffolding.

View of nodes and beams in upside-down assembly fixture.

First complete section in master assembly fixture.

Closeup of typical master assembly fixture.