Murphysboro Sculpture

Carl Lee Park Pavilion and Bandshell in Murphysboro

The Carl Lee Park Pavilion and Bandshell is a sculptural form which features Zahner manufacturing and engineering technologies. Designed by artist John Medwedeff, this public art project is located at the town center of Murphysboro, Illinois. The project was completed in 2010, and measures 35′ long. The artwork provides a small amphitheater for the town’s public park where musicians perform outdoor concerts.

The project uses the same ZEPPS technology that Zahner developed on such buildings designed by Frank Gehry Partners and Randall Stout. These building designs required metal to curve and twist, all the while remaining highly accurate from edge to edge. Using ZEPPS, the patented technology for building unique forms, Zahner was able to design and manufacture the curvilinear framework for the Murphsyboro Bandshell.

Fabricating Public Art using a Digital Model

The Design Assist Team modeled the project using the artist’s maquette as reference. Zahner scanned the artist’s model and developed an art fabrication plan for the sculpture. The model’s design details were further developed by Zahner engineers, dividing the model into several buildable subsections.

These subsections were then fabricated at the Zahner shop, and shipped to the job site. There the installers connected the frameworks, and secured the stainless steel skins to the aluminum substrate.

By using digital processes, Zahner was able to closely match the artist’s original model, and produce a large-scale version in aluminum substructure with stainless steel sheeting.

Zahner used an Angel Hair stainless steel surface for its cladding, which was secured to the ZEPPS framework during installation by Zahner field crew.