ball-nogues studio suspends air garden in light well at LAX

ball-nogues studio suspends air garden in light well at LAX
photo by joshua white
all images courtesy of ball-nogues studio

in order to produce a tranquil moment amidst the chaotic activity at the los angeles international airport, ball-nogues studio has realized ‘air garden’, a colorful cloud-like object occupying a light well in the bradley west terminal. the installation is composed of metal-bead chains, which are suspended from the roof structure to produce a sequence of curving catenary forms. the result is a seemingly floating structure, which manipulates the atmosphere of the high space, for travelers either passing by or stopping to rest. the intervention contrasts the functional and experiential nature of the overall facility, providing a place of pause and potential contemplation.

the installation is composed of colored metal-bead chains, which are hung to produce a sequence of curving forms
photo by joshua white

the array of catenary forms relates to the basic organization and architectural characteristics of the bradley west terminal. the color composition mimics the shadows which are cast upon the installation by the roof structure above. the arrangement produces an undulating overall shape, while remaining visually light to maintain the vastness of the high space. the atrium is enclosed by glass and surrounded by a variety of airport terminal services, thus viewable from all angles.

the visual lightness of the overall form maintains the vastness of the atrium space
photos by joshua white

the design seeks to embody the qualities of light and space that distinctive to los angeles. the architects describe that the structure, like the city, ‘does not have a distinct beginning or end; inside or outside; back or front. it is both an object and an atmosphere. its appearance is not static as it is predicated on changing quality of light in the north light well at any hour of the day.’

‘air garden’ grabs the attention of passers-by
photo by joshua white

the color composition mimics the shadows cast from the roof structure above
photos by joshua white

the atrium is surrounded by and viewable from a variety of airport terminal services
photo by joshua white

the object seems to float in space when viewed from below
photo by joshua white

design animation
video courtesy of ball-nogues studio

project info:

structural engineering consultants: buro happold los angeles
custom programing: pylon technical
rigging: LA propoint
photography: joshua white