Radiance (adjective): 1. vivid transmission of light, rays or beams; 2. expression of exuberance, warmth or happiness. noun: 1. the quality of being radiant, luminous, brilliant, splendor; 2. a point in the heavens at which the visible paths of meteors appear to meet and trace backwards

Radiance is a sculptural shade canopy that fosters pedestrian interactions and establishes a dynamic focal point for Chattanooga’s recently transformed Patten Parkway. Since the late 1800’s, the parkway has served as a community crossroads for exchange and celebration. It has evolved over time and is layered with both history and optimism towards the future. The public artwork is a key component of a larger redesign that includes the introduction of a pedestrian-friendly streetscape which also include outdoor seating, landscape elements, and lighting.

The Radiance’s faceted skins are meant to inspire spontaneous interactions and playfulness by both adults and children who might enjoy spending time underneath the artwork’s intricate organic structure and kaleidoscopic skin. Radiance is supported by three structural vaults that create an open, shaded and inviting space for people to fluidly move through. It also creates a dramatic backdrop for pedestrians to congregate, sit and view the play of light, shadow, and reflectivity from many vantage points.

Radiance is primarily constructed out of marine-grade 316 stainless steel. The perforated skin consists of 16ga #4 (brushed) and #8 (mirrored) folded panels with edge tabs. 11ga stiffeners, sandwiched between the panel tabs, are arranged in a tensegrity pattern to increase structural stiffness and distribute loading to the foundation. The panels and stiffeners are bolted into radiating “V” base stiffeners welded to a 36” diameter 0.5” thick plate.

Date: 2021
Location: Patten Parkway, Chattanooga, TN (map)
Dimensions: (Width, Depth, Height) 28’ x 28’ 16’
Materials: Stainless Steel

Lead Artists: Jason Kelly Johnson & Nataly Gattegno
Artist Team: Clayton Williams, Brian McKinney, Carlos Sabogal, Natalie Abbott, Ki Schmidt, Chris Leo.=
Assistants: Sam Higgwe, Valerie Tse, Emily Saunders

Landscape Architect: WMWA
Urban Planning: ASA Engineering
Structural Engineer: Endres Studio
Public Art Directors: Katelyn Kirnie, Kat Wright
Select Photography: Karen Culp

Special Thanks: Chattanooga Innovation District; View the project page on the Chattanooga Public Art website.

Press: Revamped Patten Square Reopens With Ribbon Cutting, The Chattanoogan, 07/21/2021; Business Owners in Chattanooga’s Patten Square Celebrate the End of Construction Disruption, Chattanooga Times Free Press, 07/24/2021; Image Feature, Wall Street Journal, 07/01/2021