Overview
When you see our latest work at Richmond International Airport, you will believe that foam can fly! Smash Design collaborated with celebrated public artist Matthew Mazzotta to create a permanent, large-scale sculpture installation that now serves as the massive centerpiece of RIC’s newly renovated central plaza. The result is one of the most breathtaking public art displays we have ever had the privilege of building.
Three airplane-sized hummingbirds, frozen in mid-flight, hover high above the plaza. Each bird is captured in the act of feasting on dogwood nectar, a nod to Virginia’s beloved state flower and a celebration of the natural world that surrounds the region. Together, the sculptures form an installation that is both shockingly realistic and genuinely magical.
This was one of our largest outdoor foam sculpture projects to date! Here’s how we did it:
Process
Creating permanent outdoor public art at this scale demanded our highest level of craft, engineering, and collaboration. Starting from a beautiful design by Matthew Mazzotta, we developed a fabrication approach that honored his artistic vision while ensuring the sculptures could withstand the elements outside a high-traffic airport for years to come.
Our process included:
- Collaboration and Concept Development: From the beginning, our team worked hand in hand with Matthew Mazzotta to fully capture his creative vision. Every detail, from the angle of each bird’s wings to the precise curvature of its beak, was carefully reviewed and refined before fabrication began. This collaborative foundation ensured that the finished sculptures authentically reflected the artist’s intent at monumental scale.
- Structural Engineering and Welding: All the larger sculptural elements required steel armatures. Structural engineering was integrated into the planning process from the start, ensuring each sculpture could be safely mounted, installed outdoors, and built to last as a permanent installation. Our seasoned team got to show off our TIG welding skills during this phase!
- Large-Format CNC Carving: Our team used large-format CNC routers to carve each element from high-density foam blocks in our Texas studio. The CNC process delivered accurate geometry and consistent form across all three sculptures, capturing the delicate, aerodynamic silhouette of a hummingbird at a scale most people have never encountered.
- Hand-Sculpted Detailing: After the initial carving, the foam forms were covered in fiberglass resin and our sculptors refined every surface by hand. Feather textures, wing structures, and fine anatomical details were carefully worked into each piece. This hand-sculpting phase transformed the CNC-carved forms into realistic, expressive works of art.
- Custom Paint Finishing: Finally, our scenic artists applied custom paint finishes that brought each hummingbird to vivid, lifelike color. Rich iridescent tones, subtle shading, and careful attention to natural detail gave each bird a sense of life and motion that makes the installation truly extraordinary.
Once complete, all sculptural elements were carefully transported from our Texas studio to Virginia for installation at RIC.
Result
The finished piece, titled “Travel Companions,” now anchors the newly renovated central plaza at Richmond International Airport, greeting arriving and departing travelers with a 24 ft. moment of wonder. The sculptures are massive and colorful enough to command attention from across the plaza while detailed enough to reward a closer look.
For our team, this project represents everything we love about monumental public art. It demanded technical precision, artistic sensitivity, and a genuine commitment to quality that goes far beyond the surface. We are incredibly proud of what we built alongside Matthew Mazzotta, and we are thrilled that travelers passing through Richmond International Airport will experience it every single day.
