Students, staff and visitors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)—along with employees and guests of Boeing, Capital One, and others—enter to a bright, towering art display in the lobby of 314 Main Street in Kendall Square, Cambridge.

The 12-foot-tall panels are made by Shuli Sade and produced by Duggal Visual Solutions. Sade, a Duggal client for nearly 20 years, describes the installation, titled “Evolving Formations,” as “a data-driven matrix fusing actual site-specific zoning plan arrangements and fictional landscapes.” Sade explains:

“Drawn from Cambridge’s local iconic architecture and site plans, the DNA of an urban plan defines its form, function, and future. Enlarged Nanoparticles replace micro pixels singled out from the photographs to create complex networks outlining a mathematical rhythm. These composed patterns floating in and around the artwork are represented by an interdisciplinary approach, combining two-dimensional artwork with augmented objects.”

Duggal produced the four panels on Vibrachrome®, a vibrant yet durable solution for metal prints. A specially coated paper printed on a dye-sublimation press is transferred to a separate press that heats the print against the face of the metal at 400 degrees F. As the water in the ink evaporates, the ink transitions from a solid to gaseous state. After the metal cools, the ink becomes permanent and scratch-resistant—no lamination needed.

In Sade’s work, Vibrachrome® delivers color and architectural design with both emphasis and accuracy for a permanent installation accompanied by augmented reality.

“Throughout the process, we collaborated with Weiss Manfredi architects, a highly professional team of NYC fabricators at Duggal, and a highly experienced team of Boston Art installers,” Sade wrote on CODAworx, a site for sharing commissioned art installations. “We all met again on the day of installation for a true celebration, achieving our goals on time and in harmony with the ambiance of the Lobby.”

MIT’s Kendall Square Initiative aims to transform the area with new retail, dining, work, and entertainment experiences. The building at 314 Main Street is one of six sites slated for development and is already attracting high-profile tenants who will have the joy of seeing Sade’s installation every day.

In Sade’s work, Vibrachrome® delivers color and architectural design with both emphasis and accuracy for a permanent installation accompanied by augmented reality.