Client: First Basin Credit Union

Overview

Hadley Cell is an atmospheric circulation phenomenon that has warm air at the equator rising to about 6 to 9 miles above the earth’s surface and flowing towards the poles. When the air reaches the tropics, between the 30 and 35 degrees latitudes, that air cools and descends back to the earth’s surface, creating at those latitudes’ considerable winds. Odessa, Texas is located at 31.8457° N latitude and the city takes full advantage of the winds created through the Hadley Cell phenomenon, establishing wind farms throughout the area. This is the metaphor around which we designed our sculpture. First Basin Credit Union, upon whose plaza the sculpture sits, is committed to community development and economic expansion, and the trade winds phenomenon and its economic link to Odessa became the inspiration behind Hadley Cells. The sculpture consists of five relatively transparent cells that we stacked to create a metaphorical column of wind that dances upon the First Basin Credit Union Plaza. The sculpture’s green base is meant to emulate the green of vegetation. Our green then transitions to sky blue to match the blue of the Odessa sky.

Goals

The goal was to bring contemporary public sculpture to Odessa Texas that addressed the community's aspirations.

Process

Once our concept was selected, we worked closely with First Basin Credit Union from design to installation to ensure a successful project that enriched their new building. Through this collaboration we were able to enhance the final design wherever possible such as adding additional lighting and solar pavers to the plaza.