The High-Wire Plaza

In creating a exhibition space for high-wire walkers, inspired by the words of Phillipe Petit, I choose to stick to a simple concept. One of the most fascinating things I found while researching high wire walking was how at a high enough heights, the wire for walking seems to disappear to the observer on the ground, and gives the illusion of the walker performing on air. I wanted to apply this idea of 'vanishing into the sky' while designing the towers of the plaza. A spiral is never ending, so I chose to create four spiraling towers that the viewer could imagine continuously spiraling into the sky until a final disappearance into the heavens. Each tower contains multiple platforms that could have wires or safety nets strung between them at different heights, and are supported by large cores that would serve as stairwells for walkers to transport their gear up and down the towers. The plaza provides a new passageway to and from Cowgill and the surrounding buildings, as well as a large open space for spectators.