Nancy Holt developed "Solar Web" in 1984 for the Natural Elements Sculpture Park, a proposed series of permanent artworks for Santa Monica Beach in California. The sculpture remains unrealized. Holt continued to develop the sculpture over the following fifteen years. In 1999, the Santa Monica City Council voted against its construction by one vote.

Nancy Holt developed several large-scale proposals for public art projects that remain unrealized. In 1983 she developed Chamber of Reversals for George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The four entryways of the conical structure were oriented north, south, east, and west, with vertical lines of brick rising above each opening. Inside, sunlight and shadow would form long lines across the concrete structure, while the circular opening overhead framed the sky. At night, the sculpture was to be illuminated from within.