Location: Elizabeth Quay. Geoffrey Bolton Av, Perth, WA
Scope: Design, Engineer & Manufacture the sculpture.
Completion Year: 2016
Architect: Christian de Vietri
Builder/Contractor: Adam Mitchell
ShapeShift Product: ShapeShell™-RT advanced Fibre Reinforced Thermoset (FRP) panels
As part of the Elizabeth Quay redevelopment, the Government of Western Australia commissioned a series of landmark public artworks to reflect Perth’s cultural and spatial identity. Artist Christian de Vietri envisioned Spanda as a symbol of interconnectedness — a sculptural expression linking the city, the river, and its people through a continuous, flowing form.
The work comprises six nested white arches, aligned along a central axis and expanding exponentially upward, with the tallest arch reaching 29 metres.
ShapeShift Technologies was engaged from the earliest design stage to bring Spanda from concept to reality. Acting as a design, engineering, manufacturing, and installation partner, ShapeShift provided full lifecycle delivery — from feasibility analysis through to final certification.
The structure utilised ShapeShell™ RT, a reinforced thermoset material engineered for high strength-to-weight performance and long-term durability. The rings were fabricated as monocoque shells — self-supporting without internal framing — enabling their slender, seamless form.
The Spanda project presented significant technical and logistical challenges:
Extreme Scale and Geometry – The largest ring stood 29 metres high and over 6 metres wide, requiring precise control of curvature and alignment.
Wind and Dynamic Loads – The tall, slender profile was subject to vortex shedding and oscillation risks under Perth’s coastal wind conditions.
Transportation and Installation Constraints – Each ring had to be lifted and installed as a single, complete unit, within the limited working space of the Elizabeth Quay site.
Material Performance – The sculpture needed a material that could deliver the required stiffness, longevity, and finish without excessive weight or corrosion issues.
ShapeShift Technologies delivered a fully integrated solution through advanced material and structural innovation:
Engineering Analysis – A detailed finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to assess static behaviour, natural frequencies, and wind-induced vibrations. Additional vortex-shedding simulation ensured aerodynamic stability.
Material Development – A bespoke ShapeShell™ RT formulation was engineered, achieving an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 660 MPa. This provided the necessary structural capacity while maintaining low mass.
Manufacture and Assembly – Each ring was produced using precision 5-axis CNC tooling and vacuum-infused composite layup. The monocoque structure eliminated the need for internal frames, ensuring a clean aesthetic.
Installation Methodology – ShapeShift designed and validated a lifting strategy modelled on the stepping of a ship’s mast, allowing each ring to be raised and secured safely within tight site constraints.
Integrated Design Collaboration – ShapeShift worked closely with civil engineers to design and certify the foundation and connection interfaces, ensuring structural continuity from ground to apex.
The result is a 29-metre-high landmark sculpture that seamlessly integrates art, engineering, and fabrication expertise. Spanda demonstrates the potential of reinforced material technology in large-scale architectural art, achieving both structural efficiency and expressive form.
The project stands as a defining feature of Elizabeth Quay, celebrating the union of creativity and precision engineering. Through ShapeShift’s vertically integrated approach, Spanda was delivered safely, accurately, and on schedule — setting a new benchmark for complex public art fabrication in Australia.
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