NEKO HEALTH BIRMINGHAM HELIX SCULPTURE DESIGN

For Neko Health’s Birmingham site, Mamou-Mani and Fab.Pub developed a site-specific sculptural installation for the entrance experience, designed to feel precise, calm, and quietly iconic. The concept draws on the idea of a helix, hinting at human biology and data-driven health without leaning into a literal DNA motif.

The final piece is an elongated helix formed as a sequence of modular “pupa” elements, produced through large-format 3D printing and refined through multiple material and diffusion tests. Positioned to be visible on entry and read diagonally through the space, the sculpture acts as a wayfinding landmark and a soft focal point within the clinic environment.

The design explores the idea of a helix-inspired sculptural form, referencing the language of biology and human data without creating an explicit DNA representation. The aim was to create a calm, elegant installation that subtly reflects Neko Health’s focus on advanced diagnostics and precision medicine. The concept studies shown illustrate multiple interpretations of this idea, refining the geometry through variations in rotation, proportion, and sectional profiles to achieve a balanced and visually legible form.

Several fabrication approaches were investigated during the concept stage. 3D printed options explored layered and translucent forms that express the digital fabrication process through visible horizontal stratification and smooth twisting geometries. These options emphasise the artisanal quality of additive manufacturing while allowing the sculpture to maintain a soft, diffused visual presence within the space.

Alongside these, laser cut and metal options were studied to evaluate alternative material expressions and fabrication strategies. Laser cut approaches explored stacked or layered profiles that create a dynamic moiré effect through repeated contours, while metal options investigated smooth, continuous surfaces aligned with Birmingham’s industrial heritage and the brushed aluminium finishes used within the interior architecture. These parallel studies helped identify the most suitable direction for a sculptural installation that feels both engineered and refined within the clinical environment.