Torus Cutaway — Rick Guidice

Torus Cutaway presents a richly detailed view inside a rotating space settlement. White buildings, cultivated fields, gardens, roads, and recreation areas curve around the inner surface of the colony, forming a complete landscape contained within the immense ring.

Rick Guidice created the illustration for NASA Ames Research Center during the space-colony studies of the 1970s. The archival source describes the work as a cutaway view of a toroidal colony designed for a population of 10,000 people.

A large tree and residential terrace frame the foreground, where small figures, patio furniture, and planted spaces introduce a familiar domestic scale. Beyond them, the settlement extends through carefully organized neighborhoods and agricultural zones beneath luminous structural panels.

The surrounding spacecraft, star field, sweeping supports, and deep violet-red space clouds contrast with the green and cream landscape of the interior. Guidice combines architectural precision with a vivid, optimistic vision of permanent human life beyond Earth.

Artwork details

• Original title: Torus Cutaway
• Artist: Rick Guidice
• Creator organization: NASA Ames Research Center
• Period: 1970s
• NASA identification number: AC75-1086-1
• Subject: Cutaway view of a toroidal space colony

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.