Construction in Aluminium by Kenneth Martin, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

Construction in Aluminium is a sculpture created in 1967 by Kenneth Martin, located at the entrance to the University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering. This abstract Constructionist piece consists of 51 aluminium-coated steel bars of uniform length, arranged to radiate horizontally from a central axis, forming a helical shape that is thought to represent the mathematical formula of jet propulsion.

The sculpture is mounted on a roughly oblong ashlar Portland stone plinth, which is designed as three interlocking cylinders and stands approximately 130cm tall, while the overall height of the sculpture is around 360cm. The metal sculpture features the artist's signature, ‘KENNETH MARTIN 1967’, in stippled lettering on the east side facing north. Additionally, the plinth has an inscribed metal plaque on its south elevation that reads: ‘Construction in Aluminium 1967 / By / Kenneth Martin (1905-1984)’.