The first was determining the exact depth of the waves as they flowed from floor to ceiling and from end to end, and from there calculating the angle at which each board would meet the next, across all layers. We wrote a script that allowed us to visualize different options and play with the geometry until we found the ideal balance of visual impact, construction feasibility, and cost.

A second challenge came from the layered, wave design itself. Each board had a unique profile that had to be precisely aligned to the board next to and below it. The slightest variation in placement, amplified over dozens of boards, would at best create a sloppy visual, at worst prevent the wall from fitting into the space for which it was designed. After determining the exact placement of each board, we used a Domino joiner to achieve the precise joins the design required.

A final challenge was that the narrow boards would need to be secured to a frame, rather than the structural wall, making the overall construction unstable. We identified points throughout the layers of wood that would extend to the structural wall to secure the installation and prevent it from collapsing.

We faced additional challenges upon installation. The structural wall and door frame to which the Wave Wall would attach were not plumb; neither was the ceiling overhang that the wall was to be slotted into. These irregularities would have created gaps where the Wave Wall met the walls, door and ceiling. We completed final adjustments to the design on-site, eliminating gaps and finding points at which the stabilizing boards could lock into the uneven structural wall.