Cascade

The creative vision of teen designers, building prototypes out of cardboard and paper, is now a stunning ceiling installation at Park 151 in Cambridge Crossing. Cascade—designed by AFH's 3D Design Studio team in partnership with the developer DivcoWest and CBT Architects—is made of approximately three miles of steel ball chain, a simple known material that when intentionally repurposed creates an impressive entry to this new residential.

The result of nearly three years of collaboration and vision, Artists For Humanity is thrilled that Park 151 features AFH teen designers' voice, creativity and commitment.

Introduced by AFH's former Board Member David Nagahiro, Principal at CBT, DivcoWest commissioned AFH during Park 151's design phase. Over the course of three years, the design, fabrication and installation process involved a multitude of AFH teen designers seamlessly coming in and out of the process, working in collaboration with AFH 3D Design mentors to bring their vision to life. Ball chain was purchased, counted and grouped. Small mock-ups were tested to determine how best to position lighting on the ball chain to create a dynamic interior that also changes with the movement of the sun shining through the large lobby windows.

Cascade was eventually fabricated to scale on wooden frames, with each piece meticulously placed, marked and eventually packaged to be delivered to Park 151 for installation.

"This isn't about art hanging on a wall," said Vickie Alani, Senior Principal at CBT Architects. "This is such an integral piece that we’re [all] learning to work with—contractors, and schedules and lighting, manufacturers and structural engineers, [this] is what it took to make this piece.”

"I could not be more impressed with what Artists For Humanity does for the city, and for clients, and architects, and designers too, in terms of offerings we're able to bring into our projects." ~Vickie Alani, Senior Principal, CBT and AFH Board Member  

The success of this partnership is not only a stunning lobby installation for Park 151 and its residents, but also a place of permanence for AFH teens’ artwork and their exposure to an amazing professional development experience working alongside a prominent Boston developer and an architectural and interior design firm.