Work

Distance of The Sun

Where Engineering Meets Art: Suspending a 100-Foot Spiral Sculpture at LAX

DCI provided structural support design for this largescale, suspended sculpture by Glenn Kaino, which is located within the main atrium of the LAX/Metro Transit Center—the first direct rail connection between Los Angeles International Airport and the regional Metro system. Positioned beneath the atrium's central roof oculus and above active escalators, the artwork serves as a civic focal point within one of the most heavily traveled transit hubs in Southern California.

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Location:
Los Angelos, California
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Area:
100-ft
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Size:
~4,500 lbs
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Service:
Structural
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Primary Material:
Steel, Fiberglass

DCI provided structural support design for this largescale, suspended sculpture by Glenn Kaino, which is located within the main atrium of the LAX/Metro Transit Center—the first direct rail connection between Los Angeles International Airport and the regional Metro system. Positioned beneath the atrium's central roof oculus and above active escalators, the artwork serves as a civic focal point within one of the most heavily traveled transit hubs in Southern California.

Structural design addressed significant geometric and coordination constraints. No attachments were permitted through the roof oculus or adjacent architectural framing, requiring all hanger cables to be precisely angled back to limited structural connection points established by the engineer of record. Cable geometry, vertical clearances, and proximity to escalators tightly controlled the final configuration. Additional restraint cables counteract torsional behavior inherent in the spiraling form and limit uncoiling under selfweight.

Installation sequencing, longterm stability, and future maintenance scenarios were integral to the structural approach, ensuring the sculpture remains secure while accommodating potential removal or replacement of individual elements within the live transit environment.

Project Highlights

  • Continuous spiral sculpture measuring approximately 100 feet in length when uncoiled
  • Weighs approximately 4,500 lbs
  • Composed of more than 20 individual fiberglass elements, each supported by concealed internal steel frames
  • Individual elements range from approximately 200 to 500 lbs
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Nolan Lenahan

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