How does Floating Clouds (artwork) elucidate its Design and construction?
The design of the Floating Clouds was originally a large mobile structure for outside the Aula Magna, either in its atrium or in the Plaza Cubierta, a connected covered outdoor space, but the artwork was moved inside for two diverse reasons. During the design of the hall, Calder learnt how complex both Villanueva's project and his Synthesis of the Arts theory were, and proposed an integration of his panels into the space to serve "an artistic, decorative and acoustic purpose". On the construction side, at the same time, the Bolt, Beranek and Newman company (who were involved for logistics and construction) made Villanueva aware of a specialist flaw in his designs for the Aula Magna; based on a conch shape, the natural acoustics would be poor and extensive panelling inside was needed. Calder's panel design would serve the acoustic function, and was modified for the interior by Robert Newman.The panels of the design, known as 'clouds', are made of two laminated wood pieces each 13 mm (1⁄2 in) thick, held in a steel frame; they vary in thickness from 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 in) and are held to the ceiling and walls by 9+1⁄2 mm (3⁄8 in) metal cables, which were adjustable at the time of installation to give the inclination and height needed. A false ceiling was created to help with the installation of the clouds and additional lighting around them. The Bolt, Beranek and Newman company installed the clouds; to calibrate the design perfectly, an orchestra played on stage while they were being fitted. The artwork comprises 31 clouds, with 22 on the ceiling, five on the right side wall and four on the left side wall. The largest of these has a surface area of 80 m2 (860 sq ft) and a weight of approximately 2.3 tonnes (2.5 short tons). Ladders exist in the ceiling space, allowing people to climb through the clouds.
Bolt, Beranek and Newman false ceiling Aula Magna Floating Clouds mobile Plaza Cubierta conch