Construction Zone Compound

Created on May 08, 2025

2025

The finished Construction Zone Compound, a large polyhedral sculpture of orange-and-white striped barricade poles and yellow caution tape, standing in the atrium of the engineering building Students and a faculty member crouch on the atrium floor bolting striped barricade poles together into a star-shaped sub-assembly A group of students lifts a partially assembled frame of striped poles off the floor while others hold pieces in place
The half-built sculpture rises above onlookers as students work inside its frame, with spectators watching from the second-floor balcony Crowd gathered around the completed sculpture in the atrium during the showcase, with more spectators lining the balcony above The completed sculpture seen from the second floor, with visitors walking around it near the atrium entrance
Another view from above of the completed sculpture and visitors examining it The completed sculpture in the atrium in evening light, with the glass entrance behind it Front view of the completed sculpture showing the polyhedral pattern of poles and caution tape
Three students sit on the floor connecting striped poles into rods before assembly begins A team of people holds an early tetrahedral frame of poles overhead while assembling it Watch the time-lapse of the sculpture being assembled on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Construction Zone Compound — a temporary tetrahedral installation by Glen Whitney (Studio Infinity) during the First-Year Projects Showcase

Studio Infinity founder Glen Whitney visited Louisiana Tech University to lead the construction of a large-scale mathematical art installation on campus during the First-Year Projects Showcase.

A mathematical structure at architectural scale

The installation—a compound of five tetrahedra—highlighted the symmetry and structural richness of one of the Platonic solids. Built collaboratively on Thursday and disassembled Friday morning, the piece brought together students, faculty, and visitors in a hands-on exploration of three-dimensional geometry at architectural scale.

Mathematics as a participatory experience

Studio Infinity’s work emphasizes mathematics as a physical, collaborative activity. By constructing temporary, large-scale installations, their projects make abstract mathematical ideas tangible, accessible, and socially engaging—inviting participants to experience mathematics through making, movement, and shared inquiry.