Reflection

Next time you find yourself inside Kennedy Library, you might notice something new afixed to the wall of the main stairwell. Reflection, as it is titled, is a project design by Clare Olsen, assistant professor of architecture at Cal Poly. The wallpiece is made of diamond-shaped modules that move cross the wall diagonally. The shiny aluminum pieces were designed to reflect light, thereby brightening a space where direct sunlight is absent.

Olsen's former students helped fold, assemble and rivet the 70 laser cut aluminum parts. Braelyn Hamill, Ariana Martin, Max Wisotsky (pictured above), Ryan Craney (pictured above), Alex Buckthal and Nick Batie are now entering their fourth year in the architecture program.

The lighting engineering will soon be completed by Alex's brother, Eric Buckthal, a recent Cal Poly grad in computer engineering. The uplifting and artistic design will illuminate according to outside lighting conditions. It will display green, yellow and blue during the day and blue, purple and pink during evening hours.

Olsen says, "the library has been incredibly supportive of the design process and I've really appreciated their enthusiasm. I used...architecture faculty development funds for initial studies, which was very helpful." Having worked on the project for more than a year, Professor Olsen is content to see the project completed.

When you next walk the stairwell at Kennedy Library, appreciate Reflection for it's artistic and illuminative contribution to the space and the hands-on, learn by doing experience it offered a group of third year Cal Poly architecture students.

Go to Kennedy Library Outloud to read an indepth interview with Clare Olsen about the design and fabrication of Reflection.
Visit Clare Olsen's architecture faculty page.