Clients: Gensler, Xandr
Roles: Assistant Fabricator, Assistant Producer

Tetra, the living ceiling light installation

In 2019, the AT&T’s new advertising department Xandr had NY offices redesigned by Gensler. The Gensler xD team reached out to Volvox Labs to assist them in creating a monumental welcoming experience to visitors and clients. The result was Tetra, a large scale interactive ceiling installation.

I assisted on both the design side of the piece as well as managing the production and certification of the installation. From building basic prototypes to ensuring quality control and price budgeting.

Initial Prototypes

The Gensler xD team wanted to create a ceiling that would glow and “rustle” the triangles “leaves” in fluid, water-like motions. The leaves were meant to follow users who walk underneath it and have a range of interactive options. It was a combination of a natural essence with modern technology.

3 light color tones (2K, 3K, 6K) and various panel materials (Alucobond white, P95) were included in this early prototype.

The triangle “leaf” layout was explored during early conception, but eventually was settled to this setup.

Design Exploration

A whole range of design elements for the light fixture were then further researched and explored for production, such as the complex 3D printed joints and the lighting system.

Though a simple form, the structure frame needed unique 3D printed joints to provide a sleek geometric aesthetic, easy assembly, and secure strength. The frame had to be fully assembled on site due to entrance size restrictions.

Concerned about the structural integrity of the joints after preforming several material tests, I proposed a joint that had organic curves to add strength. It was dropped, but the joint design was overall modified to include more fill.

In terms of lighting, the initial concepts from the Gensler Interior Design team consisted of Edison bulbs and industrial lights with yellow/warm light tones. The Gensler xD team had opposing ideas, and thus as the structure developed the lighting transitioned to LED tubes with white light that attached to the structure frame itself.

Production of Clusters

The ceiling was divided into clusters for transportation and data division. The first cluster built, Cluster Z, was used for testing in studio by VVOX tech and UL certification. Once approved, the other clusters were promptly built. For a moment, the entire ceiling was laid out in the studio.

Assembly and Installation

Piece by piece the ceiling was assembled to it’s final volume on site. Quality control was something that all partners were concerned about, and thus a system was created to check the quality of the cluster frame parts and the electronic parts within it. This system was used during hardware testing and final installation.