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Architectural Installation
We Are Flowers
Client /
Role /
Fabrication
Assembly
Installation
Collaborators /
Michael Szivos, SOFTlab founder
Ryan Whitby
Alexandra Karlsson Napp
Jozefien DeWachter
Year /
2014
Short video produced in collaboration with Kesra Mansuri as part of a summer internship with a team of designers at SOFTlab, a firm in New York City. The video presents the long process of fabricating and assembling the immersive installation that SOFTlab created for galeria melissa, a shoe store in SoHo.
Over 20,000 translucent flowers were laser cut from colored plastic sheets that echo the colors of melissa's new line of footwear. The flowers were then attached, using fashion snaps, to 4,000 unique "x" shaped laser cut mylar panels that comprised multiple funnels. These individual funnels, labeled alphabetically in the axonometric drawing, were fully constructed and decorated with flowers in the studio, rolled up, transported in a van, and attached to one another in-store overnight.
The immersive installation was attached a few feet below the ceiling by a custom-built tensioned frame that anchored into the existing walls. Flowers hang off of the panels, seeming to reach down and engage customers and workers alike.
Professional photos by Alan Tansey.
See SOFTlab's full extent of work here.
Completed Installation
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colors used reflect those used by galeria melissa for its new collection of footwear and accessories
Completed Installation
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view between ceiling and surface of hanging funnels
Outcomes
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Passersby were drawn into the store by the intriguing and immersive scale of the installation. We Are Flowers is featured on designboom, dezeen, FRAME, and knstrct.
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Selected Process
Laser Cutting Plastic Flowers
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The plastic sheets were stacked and cut simultaneously to save time and energy, but it was soon discovered that the heat from the laser caused the overlaid plastic sheets to catch fire or become sticky and difficult to separate. After some trial and error, we were able to calibrate the laser to cut all the way through without burning, and placed a thin layer of tracing paper between the plastic sheets to enable them to be cut at the same time without becoming stuck to each other.
Installing Grommets
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When we began assembling the laser cut mylar panels, we installed grommets with a hammer. This method became time consuming and tiring.
Installing Grommets
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Later we upgraded to a tool similar to a hole punch that streamlined the process of installing grommets.
Tension Testing
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Tension of the supporting frame was tested to ensure the installation would hang at the correct height.
Wall Attachment Details
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tensioned to allow the installation to span the width of the store
Assembly of Funnels
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Subtly varied, laser cut "x" shaped panels compose the hanging funnel. Laser cut translucent plastic flowers were attached to the funnels via fashion snaps.
Organization of Surfaces
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Fully assembled surfaces A-H were unrolled in-shop and attached in sequence to create the unified installation. Phasing was strategic so we could begin hanging pieces while others were still being cut and assembled.
