Artist: Benjamin Shine
Designer + Fabricator: Tilt
Location: Denman Prospect, ACT
At Denman Prospect in Canberra, a striking new sculpture titled Everchange rises eight metres above the ground, its surface animated by thousands of wind-driven spinners. Conceived by artist Benjamin Shine and fabricated by TILT, the piece demanded a structural solution that could support both its visual complexity and its dynamic behaviour under environmental loads. Partridge was engaged to provide the structural engineering design for the project, contributing to its successful delivery through a series of technical challenges.
The sculpture’s form centres around a large steel sphere, constructed from welded plate and supported by a quadripod of tubular steel legs. This primary frame carries not only the weight of the sphere itself but also the aluminium trays mounted to its surface, which in turn support the spinners responsible for the sculpture’s ever-changing appearance. To ensure the structure could withstand wind loads and remain stable during operation, we undertook a detailed assessment of the frame’s adequacy using a combination of software modelling and hand calculations. These analyses informed the design of the leg frame, which was engineered to limit deflections and reduce swaying under wind excitation.
Fabrication of the sphere was approached with installation logistics in mind. It was built in two hemispherical halves, allowing for easier transport and assembly. On site, the hemispheres were bolted together and then fixed to the supporting legs. During the design phase, we collaborated closely with TILT to introduce stainless steel cables within the sphere’s internal frame. These cables provided additional stiffness, helping to control torsional movement and maintain the integrity of the spinner trays.
Beyond the static design, we also contributed to the development of transport frames that enabled the safe relocation of the sculpture from Sydney to Canberra. This phase required careful consideration of load paths and restraint systems to ensure the structure remained undamaged throughout its journey.
The result is a sculpture that responds to its environment with kinetic energy, underpinned by a structural system designed to support both its form and function. Our involvement in Everchange reflects the kind of collaborative, technically rigorous work that defines Partridge’s approach to public art and complex architectural installations.
