Installation of Calcareous Arabesque at the Bio-Integrated Design Lab, UCL. (2025)
In 2025, Seido Art Services were commissioned to undertake the installation of Calcareous Arabesque, an ambitious sculptural artwork by Yao Yao Meng, at The Bartlett School of Architecture’s Bio-Integrated Design Lab, UCL Here East. The project required a highly considered approach to handling, lifting, and installation due to the scale, weight, and fragility of the artwork, as well as the complexities of working within a fully operational university building.
Artwork Overview and Technical Challenges
Calcareous Arabesque comprises four large vertical panels, each constructed from recycled biological material that had been 3D printed directly onto the panel surfaces to form intricate patterns and structures. While visually robust, these surfaces were extremely delicate. Under no circumstances could the panels be handled from the front face, as even minimal pressure could result in irreversible damage.
Each panel weighed between 60 and 80 kilograms, depending on the density and distribution of the 3D printed material. Once assembled, the four panels formed a continuous structure standing approximately four metres tall. The combination of significant weight, fragile surfaces, and vertical installation height presented a complex handling and safety challenge that required specialist equipment and experienced art handling professionals.
Safe Lifting Methods and Equipment
When working with heavy sculptures and large-scale artworks, safe lifting methods are essential, not only to protect the artwork itself, but also to safeguard installers, building occupants, and the surrounding environment. For this project, Seido Art Services employed a Genie counterbalanced material lift, a reliable and controlled solution for lifting heavy loads in sensitive indoor spaces.
The panels had been fitted with reinforced eyelets, allowing them to be securely shackled to rated lifting straps. This ensured that the material lift bore the full weight of each panel during the lifting process. The lift was carefully hand-cranked to the required height, allowing for precise control and constant visual monitoring of the artwork as it was raised into position. Manual handling was kept to an absolute minimum, significantly reducing risk to both the installers and the artwork.
Wall Fixings and Structural Security
Prior to lifting the panels into place, a bespoke steel track system, designed by the artist, was installed onto the wall. This track system provides the primary structural support once the panels are mounted.
Given that the wall construction consisted of double-sheet plasterboard with a cavity behind, careful consideration was required when selecting fixings. Extra-strength plasterboard fixings were used to bind the steel track securely to the wall structure. Our approach was intentionally conservative, the system was over-engineered to comfortably exceed the load-bearing requirements of the artwork. This ensured long-term security, durability, and peace of mind for both the client and the institution once the installation was complete.
Health and Safety in a Live University Environment
Installing heavy artwork within a functioning university building introduces additional layers of complexity. At UCL Here East, the Bio-Integrated Design Lab remained in active use by staff and students throughout the project. As a result, health and safety planning was of paramount importance.
Comprehensive site surveys and detailed risk assessments were conducted well in advance of the installation. These assessments informed every stage of the process, from access routes and equipment positioning to lifting methods and exclusion zones. The goal was to minimise disruption while maintaining the highest possible safety standards.
Seido Art Services worked closely with multiple university departments to coordinate access permissions, delivery and collection of specialist equipment, and on-site safety briefings. Clear communication ensured that all stakeholders were aware of the installation schedule, potential risks, and control measures in place. Temporary barriers and clearly defined working zones were used to protect students, staff, and passers-by during lifting operations.
A Safe and Successful Installation
This project highlights the importance of specialist knowledge, rigorous planning, and safe working practices when installing large, heavy, and fragile artworks, particularly in sensitive environments such as university buildings. By combining appropriate lifting equipment, robust structural solutions, and thorough health and safety protocols, Seido Art Services successfully delivered a secure and visually striking installation that meets both artistic and institutional requirements.
Calcareous Arabesque now stands as a testament not only to innovative material research and design, but also to the value of professional art handling and installation expertise.
