Nova
SOFTlab
Nova was commissioned by the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership through a competition held by the Van Alen Institute. The installation takes its initial inspiration from the traditional gazebo (“I shall gaze”) as a pavilion within in a landscape that looks out in all directions. We used the rich historical context of the Flatiron Plaza site to frame the various landmark buildings and pedestrians through a series of scopes. These scopes create a pavilion that is different from all sides at street level, but from views above the pavilion looks like a seven pointed star. The structure is made up of aluminum that gains its strength through a cell-like structure similar to a sponge or soap bubbles. Each cell acts like both a stone and part of a three dimensional truss. Each cell is unique, exposing a crystalline interior. On the interior the aluminum structure is clad in acrylic laminated with an iridescent film creating a kaleidoscopic effect.
The overall structure is made of a modular system we developed with the help of ARUP. Each cell is made of two dimensional panels that get attached together to form a three dimensional cell. Each cell acts like a stone. These cells come together to form a structurally stable dome in the center with each scope acting as an arch. The seven arches come together to create a stable structure that has at its base a larger platonic half sphere, but also exhibits the nuances and idiosyncrasies of the cell-like system.
Project Type: Outdoor Installation
Completed: 2015
Location: New York, NY
Team: Liz Kelsey, Michael Szivos, Ryan Whitby, Troy Zezula
Photos: Alan Tansey