Joe Chandler - Voxels

Displayed at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum in Austin, Tx

2024 AIA EPC Design Shine Competition Winner

Completed with: Abby Hassell, and Jessica Sovereen

Thanks To:

A Voxel is defined as "a representation of a value on a three-dimensional regular grid, akin to the two-dimensional pixel."

This installation features 4 blocks, each shaped by a unique combination of 4 "voxel" 15.75 inch cubes. These 4 blocks can be endlessly rotated, pivoted, and interlocked, and rearranged encouraging hands-on engagement and imagination.

The ends of each block feature uniquely colored acrylic faces. At night these faces illuminate, transforming the blocks into vibrant displays of color and light.

Voxels were displayed at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in Austin, TX, from November 2024 to March 2025 as a winning submission to AIA Austin Emerging Professionals' Design Shine Competition. Responding to the 2024 theme "Sit With Us," a challenge to conceive a chair that transcends its traditional purpose and becomes a captivating art piece, enhancing its surroundings. Thank you to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, AIA Austin Emerging Professionals Committee, Andalusia Design, Polymershapes, and Spectrum Lighting.

Illumination

At night, integrated lighting illuminates the acrylic faces, transforming the installation into a vibrant landscape of color and light.

Design Process

Concept

Volumes were designed to be infinitely rearrangeable and neatly interlock with each other.

Voxels were inspired by the formal and lighting qualities of artists James Turrell and Donald Judd.

Arrangement Renderings

Prototype

Conceptual Assembly Diagram

Lighting the Prototype

Lighting with Colored Acrylic

Final Design

Final Design Shapes Rendering

Digital Fabrication

To ensure a precise finished aesthetic and proper integration of lighting systems, I prepared CAD files for a CNC to precisely cut the shapes, accounting for fabrication constraints, material tolerances, and hardware integration. Voxels were designed to integrate rechargeable lighting, and withstand outdoor exposure and seasonal weather.