Boston, MA
Symphony Park Sculpture
Scope/Solutions
As part of Symphony Park’s redesign, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the Boston Art Commission and the Friends of Symphony Park to select Jacob Kulin to design a sculpture for the park. Celebrating the nearby Berklee College of Music and Symphony Hall, Kulin’s design embraces the shapes of string instruments in his modern Scandinavian style. SGH consulted on the structural design for the 16 ft tall sculpture, First Chair.
SGH analyzed and evaluated the proposed structure for the sculpture, comprising Cor-ten steel, stainless steel, bronze, and granite. Highlights of our work include the following:
- Recommended modifications to the proposed design to increase stability and durability
- Designed the precast concrete foundation and the sculpture’s anchorage
- Detailed stone seat and curb
- Prepared permit drawings and foundation package drawings
- Performed parametric modeling of sculpture hardware and developed renderings and animations to demonstrate the design to approvers
- Provided the fabrication team with direct-to-digital fabrication files for the steel components
- Developed assembly and shop erection drawings
- Reviewed foundation and stonework shop drawings to compare with the design intent
Photo by Pate Landscape Architecture
Photo by Pate Landscape Architecture
1 of 3
Project Summary
2016
Completion Date
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures
Markets
Culture & Entertainment
Client(s)
Kulin Modern
Key team members
John Thomsen
Managing Principal, New Structural Design, Boston
Additional Projects
Northeast
Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George
SGH evaluated the feasibility of locating the stadium along the waterfront and provided structural and geotechnical engineering services for the project built on the site of a former rail yard with inactive rail lines.
Northeast
New Museum Art and Sculpture Exhibitions
SGH was the structural engineer of record for the iconic building and for several of their exhibitions.