How Do the Milwaukee Art Museum Wings Work?

Art|Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum is home to one of the world’s most iconic pieces of architecture: the Quadracci Pavilion. The building, designed by Santiago Calatrava and nicknamed the “bird” for its wing-like structures on either side, is a sight to behold. But how exactly do these wings work and what makes them so special?

The wings on the Milwaukee Art Museum are made up of two parts: a steel truss and a fabric membrane. The steel truss is composed of many thin steel tubes that are arranged in a lattice pattern, giving it strength and rigidity. The fabric membrane is stretched across this truss and serves as an envelope, protecting the structure from wind and weather while also providing some insulation.

The wings operate using four separate systems: rotation, lift, tilting, and percussion. Rotation allows the wings to open and close like an umbrella or fan; they can be opened to up to 90 degrees or closed completely.

Lift enables them to move in an upwards motion; they can be raised up to 25 feet in the air. Tilting allows them to tilt up or down in order to adjust their angle relative to the sun’s rays throughout the day; this helps keep the building cool during summer months. Finally, percussion allows for small movements that help reduce vibration and noise from wind gusts or other sources.

These systems are powered by two sets of electric motors located on either side of the building’s base. When activated, these motors drive a series of gears which then move the wings depending on what type of movement is desired (open/close, lift/lower, tilt/angle). This setup ensures that all four systems work together seamlessly in order for the wings to operate as intended.

The Milwaukee Art Museum Wings are an impressive feat of engineering that have become an iconic symbol of Milwaukee’s skyline. Not only do they look beautiful when illuminated at night but they also serve an important function—protecting visitors from inclement weather while providing some insulation during hotter months—that helps make this museum one of America’s best art destinations year-round.

Conclusion

The Milwaukee Art Museum Wings are truly remarkable structures whose complex engineering allows them to open, close, lift, tilt and move in order protect visitors from inclement weather while providing some insulation during hotter months – making them both beautiful pieces of architecture with a practical purpose.