oculus ceiling

The Oculus Ceiling bridges between the Alpha and Omega Walls, carrying elements of the formal and material language of both.

Oculus Ceiling as it meets the Alpha Wall.

This model was built to test a gradient of translucency that moves from the center of the ceiling to the outward rings.

An unsuccesfull full-scale mock-up.

Support struts and netting used for maintenance access all need to be hidden from view so calibrating the degree of transparency in each panel had to be accurate.

Ceiling panels and all equipment are brought up through one of two access points.

Ceiling panels, waiting for installation.

A final inspection.

Connections, framing, supports, etc. were tweaked a number of times to minimize visibility from below.

The Oculus Ceiling.

The desired effect for the Oculus Ceiling was that it would evoke an ethereal glow as light filtered through the ceiling panels. However there was a network of very pragmatic and unromantic support structures and maintenance access ways immediately behind the panels which needed to remain hidden so as not to break the illusion. Our exploration involved a series of mockups and models to test transparency gradients as well as to work out connection details that would remain as unobtrusive as possible.