About “Scaffolding De/void”

“Scaffolding De/void” is an exploration of the unseen structures that shape our universe. This work consists of an intimately scaled piece, crafted for display in the physics department, and a monumental installation unfolding across the lower Cathedral lawn. The larger piece serves as an expansion— both in scale and concept—of the smaller work, echoing the cosmic processes of growth, transformation, and the hidden frameworks that bind galaxies together. Created with Dr. Bezanson, an astrophysicist working with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the piece reflects on dark matter, described by The New York Times as “the invisible bones of the universe.” Using a generative design system—an architectural tool for creating forms based on defined rules—the artwork gives physical shape to the hidden forces governing galactic evolution. These installations are both a scientific inquiry and a poetic gesture—a visualization of the universe’s hidden architecture, continuously unfolding and expanding, much like the cosmos itself.

Claudia Engfer is a Puerto Rican designer and interdisciplinary artist studying architecture and film at the University of Pittsburgh. Her work explores how colonialism shapes the built environment, drawing from her own experience of displacement. Through architecture and film, she examines power, memory, and resilience in urban spaces. She is especially interested in how design can challenge these systems of power.

Sarah Satcho (b. 2002) is a first generation Cameroonian American artist. She is in her fourth year of undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is pursuing a BS in architecture with a minor in chemistry. Her art often ties her lived experiences with the realm of architecture, the sciences, and fashion. She manipulates compositions to emphasize unique aspects of her concepts.