Spectra Coachella
Bringing color and height to Coachella, one of the world's most iconic music and arts festivals, Spectra is a cylindrical tower and architecturally informed creative installation featuring a spiral design, an observation deck, and a dazzling color light scheme that reflects Coachella’s energy and breathtaking setting.
Made from steel and acrylic, the architect’s initial design had each level of this seven-story structure, including the viewing deck, represented by a color of the rainbow and accessible by stair.
| Client | Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival |
|---|---|
| Architect: | NEWSUBSTANCE |
| Size | 7 Stories | 54 to 75 Feet (16.5 to 23 M) tall |
| Office: | Hebden Bridge |
| Completion: | 2018 |
But our structural engineering team realized that solution wouldn’t be accessible for everyone. Drawing on our stadium design experience, we instead suggested a spiral ramp, running from top to bottom of Spectra, with a façade that constantly changes color. This shifted the design from seven separate levels to one continual helical ramp. While a seemingly small change, it made an significant creative impact, turning the tower into one continuous, inclusive and immersive experience.
The site positioning of the structure defined it as a beacon, drawing people in with its light. Inspired by the sunrise and sunset of the landscape, at certain points in the day Spectra’s lights blend and balance perfectly with the natural colors of the Coachella sky, while offering a sharp, vibrant contrast at night.
Fabricated in Leeds and shipped to Los Angeles, the structure was then trucked out to the desert, built on site, air conditioned, and made ready for the festival. Due to its success, Spectra has become a permanent installation at the festival.
