Mark Donohue

Artists

Mark Donohue

Associate Professor of Architecture

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California, USA

https://www.visibleresearch.com/

Statement

I like to ask questions through the work I am doing. Questions of space, form, structure, light and geometry seem to persist as lines of inquiry. Being an architect and educator gives me a chance to explore these things with a diverse set of collaborators equally obsessed with making things. I am an Associate Professor at CCA as well as Building Technology coordinator. I write and lecture on issues of representation and digital technology. I am principal and cofounder of Visible Research Office, a multidisciplinary firm based in San Francisco. Through VRO I research new fabrication techniques and innovative materials and their application in the construction process testing out the research at varying scales.

Artworks

Image for entry 'Twist Light Tower' — Twist Light Tower
36 x 27 cm
Inkjet Print of Digital Rendering
2020

Twist Light Tower is my entry to a recent competition to create an icon for San Jose. This proposed addition to Arena Green park is a lantern, observation tower, history museum, and café combined into one. People are welcome to visit the observation deck at the top of the 200’ tower with panoramic views of downtown. The unique design of the tower enables it to transform from a solid sensuous sculpture by day to a lacy light filled lantern at night. A 20˚ rotation in twelve increments brings the Twist Light Tower to life. The 240˚ rotation of the tower enables it to align itself with the park and adjacent streets below while at the same time aligning diagonally with the dramatic view of downtown San Jose from the observation deck above.