Case Study: Compagnie La Machine achieves monumental, mobile urban sculptures with SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS at the Heart of the Artistic Process for the Creator of Urban Dreams

Compagnie La Machine, a non‑profit creator of large-scale kinetic urban performances, faced the challenge of turning artistic concepts and movement into safe, buildable "living architecture" for street shows and urban renovation. To manage extreme scale, precision and safety requirements, Compagnie La Machine adopted SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes' CAD solution), using it since 2012 and expanding to everyday use with additional licenses.

SolidWorks enabled a complete digital chain — from 1:10 wooden models and 3D scanning into the CAD environment to detailed mechanical design, kinematic simulation, assembly approval and manufacturing-ready parts lists — streamlining outsourcing and ensuring compliance. The result: the studio of roughly 30 designers can deliver monumental, street‑ready works (for example the giant hummingbird and the Toulouse "Guardian of the Temple" show), with greater accuracy, faster production and expanded creative freedom thanks to SolidWorks.

Compagnie La Machine

Marc Lairet

Research Director