Xanthigami

An origami-derived sculptural system informed by xanthorrhoea bark

Xanthigami is a folded sculptural system developed by Suzy Syme and Andrew Costa through close observation of xanthorrhoea bark and its layered, pleated sheath-like structure. Translating this botanical source logic into faceted folded surfaces, the system explores how a place-responsive formal language can move across public sculpture, installation and spatial propositions. Across the works below, Xanthigami demonstrates a consistent approach to structure, surface and public experience grounded in Australian land flora and Queensland conditions.

System Logic

Xanthigami translates the layered, pleated character of xanthorrhoea bark into a folded structural language. Repeated facets generate enclosure, shadow, light filtration and geometric strength, allowing one system to operate across different scales and public conditions.

Featured Applications

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River of Mirrors - Occupiable Installation

A public-art concept applying the Xanthigami system through a spiralling, folded stainless-steel installation. It demonstrates how bark-derived pleating can be translated into public sculpture with strong experiential presence, light play and structural clarity.

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Heart Ipswich - Sculpture Concept

A traversable sculptural gateway concept using folded-plate logic to create a dynamic public artwork. Its faceted surface, perforation strategy and geometric strength reinforce Xanthigami’s interest in public encounter, movement and legible folded structure.

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Cadi Pavilion - Architectural Concept

A conceptual pavilion applying the Xanthigami system at architectural scale. Cadi Pavilion demonstrates how the folded language can generate occupiable form, structural order and site-responsive public experience

Across these works, Xanthigami demonstrates our capacity to develop a place-responsive sculptural system from Australian land flora and translate it across installation, public art and spatial propositions. Within Converging Tides: Form Follows Place, it represents one strand of our broader methodology: developing coherent formal languages that remain materially and conceptually grounded in place while moving across scale.

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