The Hive

I went to the National Building Museum to visit their latest full scale art installation: The Hive. Soaring to 60 feet, it is built entirely of more than 2,700 wound paper tubes, varying in size from several inches to 10 feet high,   interlocking to create three dynamic interconnected, domed chambers. By using a catenary shape, each chamber balances structural forces and support its own weight, while attaining a height that enables a unique acoustic signature -- with instruments from drums to wind chimes provided inside the chambers for everyone's enjoyment.  Pretty cool stuff.


The main is from within the largest chamber; the extras include color views both from inside the structures and from the 3-story balconies that surround the installation.