SEVEN STARS: OUROBOROS
Design: Matt Heinzler [HNZLR]
Production: Monkey Jean
Client: GRiZ / 100x
Engineering: Clark Reder Engineering
Fabrication: Gambino Construction
Build Lead: JP Chapman
Site: Oak Ridge Farm, Arrington, Virginia
Concept: Ouroboros Temple of the Dawn
SCOPE:
creative direction
principal design
computational design
technical design
fabrication direction
build book authorship
build direction
PROJECT OVERVIEW
HNZLR served as Principal Designer and Creative Director for the Seven Stars Ouroboros Stage, originating the project’s concept and computational timber stacking system, leading full-scale fabrication on site. Commissioned by GRiZ and 100x and produced by Monkey Jean, the installation transformed dimensional lumber into a unified 360° performance architecture embedded within the crystalline oak forest of Arrington, Virginia.
STRUCTURAL CONCEPT
interlocking 360° stage
tower [x2]
long platform [front-of-house]
short platform [2x]
parametric DJ booth
The project deployed a single parametric structural language across five spatial typologies. All elements were generated through an original Grasshopper-driven timber methodology, integrated with an internal ModTruss core, enabling sculptural massing while meeting festival-grade safety and speed requirements.
HNZLR authored all CAD models and technical documentation within a 100+ page build book.
STRUCTURE ELEMENTS
DJ BOOTH
TOWER [x2]
STAGE
LONG PLATFORM [FOH]
SHORT PLATFORM [x2]
CINEMATIC CONCEPT RENDERING
CINEMATIC CONCEPT RENDERING
HNZLR presents live Unreal Engine scenes during client reviews, alongside high-fidelity CAD models with custom aesthetic display modes.
These real-time, in-house visuals are instrumental in confirming concept viability and articulating design intent to adjacent teams.
Clients gain agency by interacting with evolving environments: suggesting prop adjustments, evaluating lighting scenarios, and experiencing spatial transformations live on call.
HNZLR is artistic vision meeting technical execution.
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN
TECHNICAL DRAWING
TECHNICAL DRAWING
With over a decade of professional drafting experience, HNZLR produces rigorously detailed technical drawing sets that translate design intent into executable fabrication documentation.
Developed across every phase of the project, these drawings culminated in a 100+ page build book used to direct fabrication and on-site installation, ensuring alignment between concept, engineering, and construction.
NOMENCLATURE SYSTEM
BUILD DIAGRAMS
PHOTOGRAPHY
BUILD PHOTOGRAPHY
PROJECT TEAM
Matt Heinzler [HNZLR]
Monica Fernandez (Monkey Jean)
Matthew Weber (Clark Reder Engineering)
Aron Gambino (Gambino Construction)
JP Chapman
Arly Stroben (Arly Stroben Sewing)
Samantha Choo [HNZLR]