Si-Glo by dwg @ The Creekshow, Austin, TX

dwg is an internationally renowned landscape architecture firm based in Austin, Texas. This group of award-winning creatives are committed to designing experiential design solutions that promote healthier and more resilient communities. Their work creates an authentic celebration of place whilst considering the environmental impact and need for sustainability.

The company was established in 2010 by Daniel Woodroffe, a leading voice of the urban architectural landscape. He is joined by a group of leaders in sustainable design who share his passion for the intersection of art, culture and landscape. The outcomes of the dwg design process demonstrate a strong sense of place unique to each project and location.

In dwg’s hometown of Austin, 35 acres of previously undeveloped green space is currently in the process of being transformed into a 1.5 mile urban ecosystem. The aim is to provide the entire community with an impressive array of natural and cultural destinations including beautiful gardens and rolling pathways along the course of Waller Creek. Funded by public-private partnership, this ‘park of parks’ seeks to nourish the souls of its visitors with uplifting experiences within a natural setting.

The completion of the first phase of the Waterloo Greenway park system was celebrated by the return of Creek Show which provided the Austin community with ten nights of free light-based art installations. Creek Show commissioned work by local landscape-inspired architects, artists and designers to highlight Austin’s social, cultural and ecological future.

Out of the many applications to exhibit, dwg were delighted to be awarded the tender for their awe-inspiring, larger-than-life illuminated agaves, known as ‘Si-glo’.

Studio DWG’s design was inspired by the many thousands of new plants which were installed at the newly renovated Waterloo Park. Si-glo was designed to celebrate the new, long-lasting life brought to the green space in the heart of Austin by using glowing inflatables of epic proportions. With the introduction of installations on such a huge scale, the viewer’s attention can be drawn to their own body in relation to the sculpture and then to how the giant agaves sit within the landscape. In this way, the inflatable artwork highlights the importance of nature within the urban landscape.

With Glow’s reputation for recreating the most ambitious designs through the medium of inflatable art, we were the obvious choice when it came to outsourcing the manufacture of the seven giant agaves. Also, custom PVC inflatables are the most appropriate medium for creating such an impact in a large outdoor space being simple to install and take down at the end of the exhibition.

dwg’s design was inspired by the many thousands of new plants which were installed at the newly renovated Waterloo Park. Si-glo was designed to celebrate the new, long-lasting life brought to the green space in the heart of Austin by using glowing inflatables of epic proportions. With the introduction of installations on such a huge scale, the viewer’s attention can be drawn to their own body in relation to the sculpture and then to how the giant agaves sit within the landscape. In this way, the inflatable artwork highlights the importance of nature within the urban landscape.
With Glow’s reputation for recreating the most ambitious designs through the medium of inflatable art, we were the obvious choice when it came to outsourcing the manufacture of the seven giant agaves. Also, custom nylon inflatables are the most appropriate medium for creating such an impact in a large outdoor space being simple to install and take down at the end of the exhibition.

The team at Glow Inflatables were tasked with creating seven inflatable agaves ranging in size from 12’ to 45’ high. Glow’s artists experimented with a range of carefully created digital artworks based on the natural shades and patterns on real agave leaves. Three different print designs were chosen; the variation helped the overall effect to appear more organic. It was also important to ensure the prints would create the desired effect when illuminated with the internal LEDs. Once we were happy with the balance of colours, the inflatables were made with PVC according to the specifications of the custom 3D models provided by dwg.

Once manufactured and in situ, each installation was inflated, illuminated with LED lights and secured with sandbags below their base. It took less than ten minutes to inflate even the largest of the agaves, although it too a little while longer to ensure that the leaves were in their final positions, rigid and strong. The final effect was absolutely stunning, creating a real buzz for visitors of Creek Show.

The giant agaves were easily moved around at regular intervals to protect the lawns around them from wear and tear as well as providing renewed interest for those attending the exhibition on multiple occasions. Visitors were able to walk around and touch these impressive structures whilst adjusting their own sense of scale.

The installation was effective throughout the day as well as the night, close up or far away. They looked particularly impressive from an aerial perspective, almost like a constellation of stars in a dark Texan night.

Si-glo both surprised and delighted crowds whilst honouring Waterloo Greenway’s mission of enhancing the connection between nature, art and culture. Above all else, the enormous inflatable agaves were fun to be around; glowing and soft to the touch.

In keeping with their sustainable values, dwg envisage a second life for the sculptures. After the exhibition, if the inflatable artworks are not relocated, their nylon skins can be cut up and sewn into tote bags or other such items to be used at future Greenway events.

dwg were really impressed with the whole process, particularly with the highly effective communication with the team at Glow who are used to working on international projects.