New architectural art installation at Spectra Apartments Redmond, Washington
Inspiration
- The inspiration for this project started with a scrap of aluminum from the model for the “Rippling Wall” , the award winning facade of Fire Station 21 In Portland Oregon. This project was the first project I worked on with architect, and professor of architecture at Portland State University, Aaron Whelton.
The Inspiration
This is the working model for the facade of the Fire Station 21. Made by Kurt Nordquist at Davinci’s Workshop, my fabricator at the time. More about this project can be found here.
This is the leftover scrap of aluminum from building the preliminary model for the Fire Station.
Something about the graphic nature of this scrap seemed to have some potential. Several years later it resurfaced in my mind when Nine Dot Arts brought me this opportunity.
I was contacted by Nine Dot Art Consulting about designing art balconies for a new apartment complex. After attempting a few different approaches this piece of metal came to mind.
With Denise Joseph of Nine Dot Arts, we worked with Brad Machat and Peter van Overbeek of Quarterra. Together we designed the look of the balconies. They were to be fabricated by Advanced Ironworks in Redmond, Washington.
It would take a few versions before settling on the final medium and finish.
Modelling
This mirror finished, stainless steel look was what was eventually settled on as perfect approach.
I made a half sized balcony model with he help of Joel Kikuchi at Oxbow Fabrication in Seattle.
Fabrication
Fabrication and final trouble shooting were next. There were several revisions to the graphics to get the panels just right. Finally, we were able to look at the first one, with its protective coating on. The design team met at Advanced ironworks and Peter van Overbeek got to be the first one to try out the balcony.
Installation
By late April 2023 the first few balconies had been installed. By the summer of 2023 all 16 balconies were be up at the beautiful Spectra Apartments near Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this project a reality.
David Franklin