Project Name: Oculus SkySpace James Turrell
Scope of Work: Engineering, Design- Build, Installation
Material Type: Mechanical Drive Assembly, Composites, Complex Glass
Completion Date: 2022
Artist: James Turrell
Summary: James Turrell designed the Oculus Sky Space to have an opening eye lid that views the sky from within the underground chamber. CTEK was engaged to provide a turn key Design- build solution. The remote-controlled retracting 22’ mechanical dome also acted as the art projection surface when viewed closed, looking up, within the viewing chamber. CTEK also provided the exterior complex elliptical frameless glass railing system. The 22’ mechanical dome made from carbon fiber composite construction was married to a mechanical device we engineered to fit into a tight space between the outer dome skin and the interior concave projection surface. The 6,000lb rolling dome moves gracefully along dual chains via sprocket gears and electric motors. All engineering for the mechanism and composite structure was done in house along with the electronic control system. CTEK installed the working piece providing a turnkey solution from artist concept through to reality.
The Sky Space dome project had several challenges. The entire dome needed to be watertight so special sealing gaskets were engineered and fabricated. The mechanism needed to be completely hidden from view when closed. Engineering in Solid Works CAD program enabled us to perform the complex mechanism kinematics of the dome operating. The fabrication of both the Carbon fiber dome and the mechanism required hi tolerance fabrication and precision machining. Most all the mechanical components accept the motor, bearings, chain and wheels were custom made. A custom control panel and system also needed to be designed and built. The electronic control system CTEK created involved limit switches, a motor brake system to stop the 6,000lb dome, a safety kill switch and a car style remote control to open and close the dome.