Progress Update: East Kellogg in Wichita, KS
When we last wrote about the bridges for our project on East Kellogg in Wichita, KS, we demonstrated how our design evolved to meet the needs of the site, both aesthetic and practical. The image, above, is a representation of this design. In those four years, the design has been realized and we can show you a first look at how things turned out. A month ago, Vicki went to Wichita to check in on the construction process. The following images are from that site review.
The concrete bridges have been poured and painted and the cut metal grills have been installed. The image, above, shows how the grills fit into the depth of the bridge girders, finishing the outside faces of the bridge with a pattern that relates to the patterns on the walls throughout the corridor. Tying all the elements together with a common pattern creates a total work of art along the entire project area.
Above, Vicki and Abdul Hamada, Project Manager with WSP, stand in front of grill that is waiting to be installed. The whole team contributed to the success of this project. Having a design team that is dedicated to creating an excellent project is critical to realizing a complete design vision. Project Managers and Contractors who understand, and are committed to the vision for, the artwork are key to ensuring a project’s success.
The formwork process for the concrete walls uses the same techniques as a normal cast in place wall, as demonstrated in the image above. The only difference is that the formliners are patterned to achieve a stunning result. We supply coded elevations to the contractors to make the pattern layouts simple to build. These formliners are good for hundreds of uses, which is handy for a project this large.
Above, Vicki celebrated the success of the MSE wall assembly, a year ago, now more walls have been built continuing the expanse of the work. The precast panels fit together to make the larger pattern, covering the walls in the imagery of the wind. The flowing motion moves from one panel to the next unifying the wall into one piece of art. This pattern system uses a few panels, and their rotations, to create an endless amount of unique patterns.
The image above, shows how the patterns on the panels are reactive with sunlight, as it moves across their faces throughout the day. The alternating dark and light gestures create a rich and varied surface across the walls, adding visual interest along the length of their surfaces.
The height of the walls allows for large pattern gestures that pull through the site, making sweeping diagonal motions, as can be seen above. These motions are inspired by and are evocative of the wind sweeping across the prairie. Working on a canvas this large afforded us the opportunity to make a monument statement about the weather and landscape itself.
Above, Vicki examines the small details of the concrete texture. The panels were designed to carry interest and be legible from many different perspectives. We considered what it would be like to drive by quickly and get a fast glimpse of the work. We also thought about someone walking by and closely experiencing the work. These many levels of detail are typical of our work, making it feel rich and full.
The image above shows the dynamic motion of the patterning as it runs across the surface of the walls. The primary and secondary gestures weave in and out to imply depth of space. The patterning draws the eye from panel to panel visually linking the wall, creating a cohesive whole.
This detail, above, shows the panels with their final paint color applied. This color will add a uniform warmth to the concrete work and establish the corridor as one united piece of work. We are excited to see this project reach completion and will post updates as the work develops.
Team Credits:
Alexandr Polzin
Wildcat, General Contractor
King Construction
Client: