In July 2017 I was commissioned by Guy Topping, Managing Director of the multi award winning Barton Grange Garden Centre in Brock, Preston to design artwork to wrap around the external elevation rain screen of a new mixed use Leisure Centre he was developing to be called The Flower Bowl.I was initially contacted by Jenni Muston of Rockpanelwhose exterior cladding boards were specified for the work. Jenni put me in touch with Guy. I had previously collaborated with Jenni and project Architects HLM, on a project for Sheffield Hallam UniversityCollegiate Campus. The new ‘HEART OF THE CAMPUS’building was completed in 2015. As an award winning Garden Centre, the client was obviously keen to promote its long association with plants, trees and especially with flowers. The artwork is a celebration of flowers, inspired not so much by botanical accuracy, rather the abstract illustrative, super graphic nature of flowers at large scale, exploding like fireworks in celebration across the elevations of the building. The local landscape and textile heritage of Preston also contributed to research and concept development carried out at the Harris Museum.
Christopher Tipping. Section 7 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Guy ToppingChristopher Tipping. Section 7 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Guy ToppingChristopher Tipping. Section 7 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Guy ToppingChristopher Tipping. Section 7 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Guy ToppingChristopher Tipping. Section 7 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Aztec Industrial Roofing Ltd.
The artwork was developed for production & manufacture in partnership with The Cutting Room in Huntingdon, with whom I collaborated on the Sheffield Hallam project. I am indebted to them for their commitment to the project. The boards are being installed on site by Aztec Industrial Roofing Ltdunder the project main contractor Truman Design & Build.The installation & handling of the artwork boards on site has been & continues to be excellent.The project Architectural Consultants are WAJW .
A draft artist visual for The Flower Bowl by WAJW Architects showing indicative elevations and green roof with grazing sheep. Image: WAJWCranked corner, Sections 5 to 6 during installation. The Flower Bowl under construction. Image: Aztec Industrial Roofing Ltd.Cranked corner, Sections 5 to 6 during installation. The Flower Bowl under construction. Image: Aztec Industrial Roofing Ltd.Draft artwork in production. The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher TippingDraft artwork in production. The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher TippingDraft artwork and flower iconography in development. The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher TippingDraft artwork and Chrysanthemum flower iconography in development. The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher TippingDraft artwork and Water Lily flower iconography in development. The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher TippingDraft artwork and Iris flower iconography in development. The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher Tipping
Christopher Tipping. Section 2 Elevation during installation by Aztec. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Aztec Industrial Roofing Ltd.Christopher Tipping. Section 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2018. Image: Christopher TippingChristopher Tipping. Section 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Christopher TippingChristopher Tipping. Section 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Christopher Tipping
When the Rockpanel Board is first cnc cut and installed, the exposed colour is yellow, which fairly quickly weathers to a darker & richer colour.
Christopher Tipping. Section 2 Elevation. Boards awaiting installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Christopher TippingSection 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Christopher TippingSection 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Guy ToppingSection 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Guy ToppingSection 2 Elevation during installation. The Flower Bowl 2017. Image: Guy ToppingAgapanthus – Barton Grange Garden Centre – Research. Image: Christopher TippingBarton Grange Garden Centre – Research. Image: Christopher TippingFlower research at Barton Grange for The Flower Bowl. Image: Christopher TippingThe Flower Bowl under construction. Image: Guy ToppingThe Flower Bowl under construction. Image: Guy ToppingThe Flower Bowl, September 2017. Image: Christopher TippingThe Flower Bowl, October 2017. Image: Christopher TippingThe Flower Bowl, adjacent Canal – October 2017. Image: Christopher TippingThe Flower Bowl, adjacent to the Lancaster Canal – September 2017. Image: Christopher Tipping
The Canal Basin here is managed by the Barton Grange Garden Centre.
Barton Grange & The Flower Bowl is well positioned on the A6 Preston to Lancaster road, the M6, the London to Glasgow high speed mainline and the Lancaster Canal. Image: Christopher TippingFront of house under construction. Section 6 – The Flower Bowl October 2017. Image: Christopher TippingBuilding under construction. Section 6 – The Flower Bowl October 2017. Image: Christopher Tipping