The Field Museum of Chicago began its 125th-anniversary preparations in early 2017 with an ambitious endeavor of renovating Stanley Field Hall. The renovations are meant to bring together the inanimate matter and living elements of the museum by incorporating a live hanging garden known as Nature Clouds to showcase plants living from the prehistoric era.
A successful anniversary celebration requires a collaborative approach to bring the concept to reality. Flyhouse was contacted by The Dobbins Group through the recommendation of Ravenswood Studios to provide insight into the feasibility of suspending four Nature Clouds with weights ranging from 5,000 – 19,000 lbs. From this consultation, steps were taken to move forward with a full-scale prototype with Flyhouse providing the rigging solution. Along with Branch Technology, Impresa, The Dobbins Group, and Ambius, this prototype was fabricated successfully at Ravenswood Studios.
To make this experiential space a reality, Flyhouse will use two large and one medium capacity custom hoists to suspend the four Clouds and move them. Each Cloud will have a speed of 16 fpm with variable speed in acceleration and deceleration and the ability to travel to three pre-set positions using a wireless pendant on the main floor. While the Clouds will remain in a higher fixed position when the museum is open to the public, the three pre-set positions will allow museum staff to lower or raise the Clouds for special events and maintenance.
(Photo credit: The Field Museum)
Flyhouse will spend six weeks installing the mechanics and commissioning needed for the project and will use a custom-designed temporary access solution with a capacity of eight tons onsite as the main means of hoisting and safety.
Flyhouse is excited to be a part of this new Field Museum venture and looks forward to sharing updates with you as the project progresses.
