The Earthwave is an installation that proves to a new generation that there is a fine line between “unbuilt” and “unbuildable”. Lebbeus never designed any projects to be unbuilt. The Earthwave is an inhabitable drawing—much like The Storm, The Fall, andSystem Wien—which allows one to move through the structure’s swarms at 1:1 scale. Being able to inhabit the structure introduces a new dimensionality while referring to the 2D and 3D nature of the project.

There was an urgency and precision to Lebbeus’ work that embodied his striving towards answering the question he posed to not only the field at large, but himself, “What is architecture for?” This type of thinking must not be lost to the whims and trends of a field constantly trying to define of reinvent itself.

The structure will reignite lines of thought that cannot be easily identified or labeled, but will continue to inspire the next generation of architects. TheEarthwave is a 3-dimensional embodiment of Lebbeus’ ideals, a challenge to the perceived notion of what is considered architecture, and a transcendental experience of inhabitation.

Lebbeus once wrote “even the most self-determined students need some help along the way: the encounter with a rare teacher who stirs their imaginations, ignites their passions about an idea, or sets an example by the teacher’s own knowledge, integrity, and dedication.” While his absence is immeasurable, the Earthwave maintains the spirit in which Lebbeus approached every student he taught.

The site allows the Earthwave to capture and symbolize the city’s energy without inhibition. The design is purely urban in nature—its steel members creating a hierarchy of imperceptible forces constantly in motion
throughout the city—and has regained the rampancy of its form. The siting of the project will free it from being perceived as an object to be viewed from a distance and transform the structure into a metric of urbanity meant to be freely moved through.

The Earthwave was initially designed by Lebbeus Woods and Christoph a. Kumpusch in collaboration with Adam Orlinski for the Biennale of Architecture and Art of the Mediterranean (BaaM) in Reggio Calabria, Italy and is based on a Lebbeus Woods drawing from 1997. It is one of several projects in over a decade of collaboration between Lebbeus Woods and Christoph a. Kumpusch. 

The Earthwave was fabricated at SCI-Arc and moved to E. 3rd St .and Traction Ave in May, 2013. The piece was part of the LEBBEUS WOODS IS AN ARCHETYPE exhibition. It has been moved to it's permanent home at 411 Main St. in downtown Los Angeles.