Wave Wall - Courtyard Fence

A 57’ curvilinear fence with CNC routed graphics activates a small triangular garden off the Oncology Unit at Boston Children's Hospital. Designed to provide privacy for patient rooms on this level and hide air in-take vents, the powder-coated undulating fence features graphics that bring green leafy imagery to the garden year-round and create a seek-and-find game for young patients.  Animal imagery is hidden throughout the curving leaf forms and illuminated at night with LEDs between the two layers. The reflections fill the courtyard, creating a magical effect.

Graphics were created by Jessica Finch in close collaboration with Payette Architecture and Design Communications LTD. The leafy pattern was based on a series of hand-cut vinyl artworks translated into vector graphics and edited in Adobe Illustrator. Graphics were CNC routed before mechanically cold rolling the 1/8” aluminum panels.  In total, 126 linear feet of material was used and about 75,000 holes routed. The perforated pattern creates variety and helps mitigate any safety concerns. The fabricator repurposed software intended to “bedazzle” clothing to distribute dots into the perforated pattern.