Public art has the power to move us, through its message and its presence in our shared spaces. Yet beneath every large installation, whether it’s a sculptural canopy or an interactive landscape—lies a world of structural innovation that is largely invisible to the everyday viewer. For architects and artists, collaboration with structural engineers is what brings ambitious ideas off the page and into reality, ensuring that these works are not only beautiful, but also safe, durable, and adaptable to their environment.
Technical Excellence in Public Art Installations
Our structural engineering team supports public art projects across Canada, providing technical expertise that enables creative concepts to take shape in the built environment. Structural engineer Vince Chu brings experience with a range of public artworks, demonstrating the collaborative and detail-oriented approach required to translate design intent into safe, durable, and buildable installations.
Public art presents engineering challenges distinct from conventional buildings: irregular geometries, varied materials, unique load paths, and the need to balance aesthetic vision with long-term performance and public safety. Structural engineers work closely with artists, architects, and fabricators to resolve these complexities—ensuring each project withstands the demands of time, weather, and public interaction.
From immersive environments to sculptural displays, Vince’s portfolio highlights how technical problem-solving and creative collaboration underpin the successful delivery of public art.
Confluence | Toronto, ON
Inspired by the water systems that have shaped Toronto, Confluence explores the interplay between natural and industrial infrastructure. The installation transforms an industrial space beneath the Gardiner Expressway into a sculptural, wave-like riverbed of twisting picnic tables, offering an immersive tribute to the city’s waterways and their ongoing influence on urban life.
ENGINEERING APPROACH
In Confluence, Vince’s engineering approach focused on close collaboration with the artist to realize the artistic vision without compromising safety. The sculpture is composed of twisting picnic tables to create a wave-like form. The structural integrity of the sculpture relied on concealed tension cables and custom detailed connections to unify the structure and ensure stability.
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
A 3D structural analysis was essential to model the complex geometry and determine the forces at each connection point. To maintain the visual continuity of the piece, concealed steel knife plates were used, which allowed the blend of structural connections with the typical picnic table connections. Additional tension cables were discreetly hidden at the top of the loop to support the sculpture without disrupting the visual flow. The goal of the structural system was to integrate seamlessly with the sculptural form, enhancing it without detracting from the artwork’s expression.
Confluence information sourced from The Bentway, Art designs by Striped Canary (Wade Kavanaugh and Stephen B. Nguyen)
Pergola Garden | Richmond, BC
Pergola Garden utilizes weathering steel, cedar, and living vines to form a sculptural canopy that celebrates the interplay of natural materials and human craftsmanship. This design supports both the evolving materials and the community’s use of the space, creating a sustainable landmark that grows and changes over time.
This structure supports the community by offering a beautiful, evolving form that brings people closer to nature and to one another. Inspired by local tidal landscapes, it functions as a living installation that nurtures environmental awareness, encourages social connection, and enriches the urban park experience through thoughtful and sustainable artistry.
ENGINEERING APPROACH
The sculpture is primarily constructed of a structural steel base, custom glulam components made of Yellow Cedar, and a network of stainless steel tension cables. The engineering approach was to work closely with the artist and fabricator to ensure the artistic vision was achieved without compromising structural performance. A 3D structural analysis was conducted to understand the complex load paths and connection forces. A deflection study was critical to the sculpture’s performance; stiffness was added through structural steel, which was concealed within the glulam components to maintain a clean aesthetic. Concealed glulam-to-steel connections were carefully designed to preserve the sculpture’s organic expression while supporting its long-term durability.
Pergola Garden information sourced from Polymetis, Art designs by Polymetis Art & Architecture
The Value of Collaboration
These projects reflect how effective collaboration between structural engineers, artists, and architects elevate both the technical and artistic success of public art. With a portfolio spanning landscapes, sculptures, event spaces, and complex features, the team is able to deliver projects from concept through to completion, ensuring structural rigor at every stage.
Our engineers are partners in creative realization—enabling spaces that inspire and serve communities for generations.