HUG

We were approached in 2017 by international artist Juanjo Novella to provide structural engineering services for the installation of a free standing sculpture at LSU’s Baton Rouge campus.  The sculpture consists of two skeletonized curved plates modeled after oak leaves found on the campus.  The taller of the two plates is roughly 26 feet tall.  In order to provide overturning resistance a 352 square foot reinforced concrete footing was installed below grade with a curved pedestal to match the profile of the sculpture.  A 1½” thick steel baseplate provides the attachment point for the Hug.  While this is not a typical project for us we enjoyed being involved in it.  The Hug can be viewed in the oak grove to the west of the LSU Student Union.