Cloud Cities Barcelona Support Nodes from Dean Group International
Component
Cloud Cities Barcelona – support nodes
Application
Architecture & Design
Metal
ANC4B
Process
Investment casting with 3d printed waxes to enable rapid prototyping
Project Information
Against a tight timescale, the company needed to produce a range of nodes in different sizes for Cloud Cities Barcelona – a spider’s web of complex panels, cables and connections to create a realisation of Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno’s vision, which would appear to float effortlessly, like a cloud, at the top of Mirador Torre Glòries, providing visitors with 360° city-scape views.
Challenges and Achievements
- 12 different variations of safety critical, inner net nodes required in stainless steel
- Full machining of the parts was carried out by team, including machining and tapping of over 10,000 unique holes to tight tolerances
- Design, 3d printing and simulation successfully carried out to deliver on time and in full
- The installation now sees 200 visitors per day, is made of 7000 metres of steel wire rope and 10,000 lengths of cabling.
