Data Structure
A soaring digital sculpture that brings data to life through light and motion.
Rising through the atrium of the University of Virginia's new School of Data Science, Data Structure transforms raw information into flowing cascades of illumination.
The sculpture transforms the fundamental building block of computer science—the array—into an architectural installation that invites curiosity and conversation. Its design draws directly from how computers store and process information, making invisible concepts visible.
Each lantern in the sculpture acts as an element in a one-dimensional array, creating flowing patterns of light that visualize real datasets from the school's research community. As data moves through the sculpture, it creates an ever-changing play of light and color that reveals the hidden beauty in numbers and patterns.
An interactive display near the sculpture lets visitors explore the source data and research behind each animation. This interactive gateway connects the flowing visuals to the active research within the school's walls.
Data Structure embodies the School of Data Science’s mission to further discovery, share knowledge, and empower community collaboration. It converts the atrium into a space where data is not only analyzed but also experienced, where the complexities of data science become tangible, and where every visitor can feel the rhythm of data shaping our world.
Client
UVA School of Data Science
Collaborators
Hypersonic
Digital Ambiance
Services
Creative Direction
Interactive Lighting
Installations & Placemaking
Data Visualization
Project Management
Software Development