Project Press Release: Perhaps the most unique feature is the dramatic sculpture representing the DNA helix in the center’s lobby. Weighing more than 1,000 pounds, the steel, aluminum and glass sculpture was designed by Iontank, a Pittsburgh-based studio that creates interactive installations. Patients and visitors can use a kiosk to create animations that can be added to the rotation of content on the sculpture. This project is comprised of 30 aluminum segments, each with a dedicated power supply, controller, and lighting boards; and over 100 glass pendants. Each of these components was designed and fabricated at Iontank. The entire sculpture is controlled by a 3D model of itself running inside of Unity. This interface allows the user to explore the piece, while learning about the treatments, and care available to them.

My roles on this project included technical architecture, budgeting, project management, electronics design, firmware development, Unity development, and installation support. The entire LED sculpture is controlled live from a Unity app in a kiosk running at the bottom. This allows the piece to respond to the story about cancer treatment being told, and it also allows the visitor to "draw" on the LEDs. There is a live "digital twin" 3D model of the sculpture which is kept up to date with the physical world.