At this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which begins today, an architectural-art piece titled "Monarchs: A House in Six Parts" might just steal the show, eclipsing even top musical acts like Lana Del Rey and Doja Cat. Situated centrally at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, this imposing installation, designed by Leslie Lok and Sasa Zivkovic of HANNAH, rises to a height of 72 feet. Lok and Zivkovic, both assistant professors at Cornell's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, present their innovative creation which consists of six towers, each with a robust 3D-printed concrete foundation supporting a robotically shaped plywood apex, configured in a circular arrangement reminiscent of a modern Stonehenge.
The scale and complexity of "Monarchs" surpass previous efforts by HANNAH, incorporating sustainable architecture and cutting-edge construction methods into their ongoing research. Zivkovic, who heads the Robotic Construction Laboratory, views Coachella as a pivotal opportunity to scale up their experimental design concepts. The festival, attracting roughly 125,000 daily attendees, provides an expansive audience for this intersection of art and architectural innovation.
The concept for "Monarchs" evolved from extensive brainstorming by Lok and Zivkovic in early 2023, aiming to blend artistic vision with research to push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve in both design and function. They envisioned a structure that not only serves as a temporary installation but also has the potential for a future life as a permanent dwelling, using the same construction materials.
Their creative process included modular design with concrete sections designed for easy transportation. These bases support tall, wood structures that fan out to form intricate, lightweight crowns, creating shaded spaces that offer relief from the desert sun. Each base provides seating and shelter, contributing functional elements to the visually striking installation.
In preparation, Lok and Zivkovic visited the site to absorb its unique characteristics, which significantly influenced the installation's design. The local desert hues of blues and pinks at dusk are reflected in the installation, adding to the immersive experience they sought to create. The project culminated in a series of prototypes, refined through hands-on experimentation in material and assembly techniques, leading to the final assembly on-site in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Selena Mattei