Giles Miller Studio has unveiled a new sensory-inspired sculpture

A new large-scale sculpture by Giles Miller Studio, titled Fractalism, has been installed on the exterior ground floor of 580 Dubuque, a new 30,000 m² building in IQHQ’s Spur innovation district in South San Francisco.

Measuring 17 meters in length and 4.2 meters tall, Fractalism consists of 4634 separate aluminium petals and wraps around the ground-floor corner of the new development, creating a distinctive landmark for commuters. Developed and owned by IQHQ, with Perkins&Will as architect and McCarthy as builder, 580 Dubuque delivers a forward-thinking environment for life sciences innovation with flexible laboratory and office spaces.

Designed to complement the building’s clean, planar geometry, Fractalism introduces movement and texture to the streetscape. Miller explains: “The piece is positioned next to a busy railway station, so the idea is that it responds to the movement of the commuters, offering a changing visual experience as the light shifts along its textured aluminium surface. The result is a type of undulating welcomingin of visitors into this exciting new district.”

The project was guided by a conceptual brief focused on creating an engaging and human spatial experience through materiality and geometry. As viewers move past the piece, the variations in surface form and reflection produce subtle shifts in perception, giving a sense of movement and connection.

Speaking about the installation, Ashley Simpson, IQHQ’s Vice President of Design, said: “At IQHQ, we create districts that inspire discovery and connection, and public art is an essential part of how our districts connect people and place. Fractalism by Giles Miller Studio embodies this spirit beautifully, transforming a transitional space into a moment of reflection. We look forward to seeing the sculpture come to life as part of the daily rhythm of the site.”

Each petal is individually positioned on an aluminium frame using laser-cut ribs that ensure precise orientation and alignment, emphasizing the flowing movement across the length of the mural. The studio worked closely with world-renowned fabricators UAP to produce the piece. Almost 5000 petals were fabricated and strengthened with a double cross-detail to ensure that, despite its lightness and open aesthetic, the petals cannot be damaged or bent by the strong winds of San Francisco or the volume of human traffic that will pass the piece every day. Aluminium was chosen for its lightweight yet durable strength, the fact that it can be fully recycled after its life, and for its beautiful anodised finish, which reflects and plays with the surrounding light with a beautiful tonal abstraction.

The combination of advanced digital modelling and meticulous hand assembly reflects Giles Miller Studio’s approach to material experimentation and craftsmanship. The result is a permanent, durable installation that contributes to the architectural identity of the IQHQ site while enhancing the pedestrian experience at street level.