Fulton Street Sky Reflector-Net

Sky Reflector-Net (2013), an integrated artwork for the Fulton Center, is an artist, architect, engineer collaboration with James Carpenter Design Associates, Grimshaw Archiects, and Arup, commissioned by the MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design and MTA Capital Construction Company. The 79-foot tall sculpture is positioned under a 50-foot diameter glass oculus and reflects sunlight into the transit station via perforated aluminum panels treated with reflective coating, illuminating the space below. The panels are supported by a complex cable net, tensioned precisely into an hourglass-like shape.

TriPyramid worked closely with the design group and the Enclos engineering and installation team to refine the cable net hardware. The final system combines components designed specifically for this project, including a custom swaged “puck” which minimizes the visual impact of the crossing nodes and guarantees geometric precision, with products from TriPyramid’s standard elements. To permanently affix all 1,680 pucks, TriPyramid developed swaging machinery which tensioned full-length pairs of cables, used a laser positioning system to locate each puck along the cables, and compressed the swage pucks in place with 40-tons of hydraulic force. This methodology allowed TriPyramid to hold positioning tolerances of 1/16-inch [1.6mm] over 80 feet.

TriPyramid fully assembled the net in MA and assisted Enclos with a test lift to verify the installation sequence used on site.

TriPyramid manufactured and supplied the cable pairs with swaged connection hardware, clevis end-fittings, tie-back rod assemblies, and tension straps. All cables and components were manufactured in the U.S. using American-made materials.

Sky Reflector-Net Featured in The New York Times