Works are progressing well on site – in fact the scheme is very much in it’s final phase of works to complete the landscape around the site.
Most of the interpretive public art elements are now installed throughout the site.
The content of many of these images you may be familiar with – but the installation is much nearer to completion with the soft landscape details really making an impact on the interpretation and public art elements. Area Landscape Architectsare responsible for the external landscape concept, design and strategy and have created a sensitive and wonderful scheme, which I have been fortunate to work within.
Central Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text – a part of the embedded public art interpretation – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text – a part of the embedded public art interpretation – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text & timber seating routed with more text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. The image was taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text & timber seating routed with more text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. The image was taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text & timber seating routed with more text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. The image was taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher Tipping
Central Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Digitally printed glazing manifestations form part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Shadows cast by the digitally printed glazing manifestations, which form part of the embedded public art interpretation, add to the experience of the internal lobby entrance. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Courtyard with slatted timber seating routed with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Sandblasted stone with Anne Knight quotation as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher Tipping
“Never will the nations of the earth be well governed until both sexes, as well as all parties, are fully represented and have an influence, a voice, and a hand in the enactment and administration of the law”.Anne Knight, 1847.
Central Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Sandblasted stone with references to Anne Knight of Chelmsford as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Sandblasted granite with text as part of the embedded public art interpretation. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Central Courtyard in progress, with embedded public art & interpretative detail. Image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher Tipping
A quick site visit yesterday – 19th March – to see the manifestation sample installed in the M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. This is one of the interpretive artworks on site – part of the public realm and public art enhancements.
Central Chelmsford, Genesis Housing Association. Landscape and embedded public art interpretation during installation on site. Image:Christopher Tipping
This is the interior courtyard space, which we know as The Place – this is a public space for both residents and pedestrians alike. The site will provides a new pedestrian route along a desire line from Chelmsford Station, through to the town centre.
Genesis Housing Association. Detail: sandblasted granite paving, part of the embedded public art interpretation, taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher Tipping
The green granite with sandblasted text is supplied by Hardscape.
Genesis Housing Association. Detail: sandblasted granite paving, part of the embedded public art interpretation, taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingGenesis Housing Association. A view of the interior courtyard known as The Place, with embedded public art interpretation, taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: cnc routed text in slatted timber seating, part of the embedded public art interpretation, taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher Tipping
Central Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: cnc routed text in slatted timber seating, part of the embedded public art interpretation, taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: slatted timber seating, part of the embedded public art interpretation carries cnc routed text – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: large platform slatted timber seating, part of the embedded public art interpretation carries cnc routed text – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text to the risers, part of the embedded public art interpretation – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher Tipping
The York Stone steps with inset granite text are manufactured by the Ashfield Group.
Central Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text to the risers, part of the embedded public art interpretation – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Detail: Yorkstone steps with inset granite text to the risers, part of the embedded public art interpretation – image taken during installation on site. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher Tipping
Interior of entrance lobby – with sample vinyl manifestation taped to the glazing. The weather was really dull & overcast. The printed white inks don’t jump out very much. If it had been bright and sunny, the design would cast a myriad of shadows onto the frame and floors. Will have to wait & see how that works out !
Central Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestations are being applied to the glazed screen for M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford for Genesis Housing Association. Glazing manifestation test sample to M1 / M2 Block entrance lobby. Image: Christopher Tipping
I spent yesterday – 17th March 2015 – in Reading, working in the design room at VGL Ltd with one of their production designers, James, to build and sample the final production artwork for the glazing manifestation to be installed in the M1 / M2 Block Entrance Lobby, Central Chelmsford. VGL really do put in the extra mile to get exactly what I want – it is very much appreciated.
We had a full size sample printed and tomorrow I am going to site to see it installed for final approval by the project team.
This is the visual that was produced – it is presented against a black background because the artwork is printed in many layers of opaque and transparent white overlaid one on another. – Durst Print white only in reverse onto Madico Optically Clear vinyl, applied to the inside face of glazing.
Artist artwork draft for glazing manifestation to the internal lobby entrance to Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford. Artwork: Christopher TippingVGL Ltd Production Artwork draft for glazing manifestation to internal lobby entrance Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford.VGL Ltd Production Artwork draft for glazing manifestation to internal lobby entrance Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford. Artist: Christopher TippingDetail: VGL Ltd Production Artwork draft for glazing manifestation to internal lobby entrance Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford.Detail: VGL Ltd Production Artwork draft for glazing manifestation to internal lobby entrance Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford.Detail: VGL Ltd Production Artwork draft for glazing manifestation to internal lobby entrance Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford.Detail: VGL Ltd Production Artwork draft for glazing manifestation to internal lobby entrance Block M1/M2 Central Chelmsford.
Finally caught up with progress on the Central Chelmsford Project on Thursday 19th February.
I hadn’t been to site since October 2014 & things had really moved on, with one block of the development already open to residents. The public realm is still ongoing, which includes the embedded artwork and interpretive text.
Installation in progress – York Stone steps with inset granite text to risers. Image:Christopher Tipping
Central Chelmsford – Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects for Genesis Housing Association. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – Denne Construction, Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects, Area Landscape Architects for Genesis Housing Association.Central Chelmsford – Installation in progress – York Stone steps with inset granite text to risers. Image:Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – Installation in progress – York Stone steps with inset granite text to risers. Image:Christopher Tipping
The York stone steps with inset granite text was manufactured & supplied by the Ashfield Group. The installation on site is a very time consuming and bespoke process. I am looking forward to seeing the works all cleaned up and finished.
The large sandblasted granite platform seat has been installed, but not completely finished as yet. This element, along with the sandblasted paving text was manufactured & supplied by Hardscape.
Central Chelmsford – Large Granite Platform Seat with Sandblasted detail & text by Hardscape. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – Large Granite Platform Seat with sandblasted detail & text by Hardscape. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – Detail: Large Granite Platform Seat with sandblasted detail & text by Christopher Tipping, manufactured by Hardscape. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – Courtyard. Detail: Large Granite Platform Seat with sandblasted detail & text by Christopher Tipping – manufactured by Hardscape. Image: Christopher Tipping
The central courtyard is in progress, with brick built raised beds with trees, shrubs and grasses. All hard landscape concept design and planting for the scheme is by Area Landscape Architects.
The interpretation work I have done is mainly embedded within this scheme as seating, paving & steps. The text – as seen below – sandblasted into Royal Green Granite slabs & set into York Stone paving – has not yet been cleaned & is very dusty and dirty from continuing building works. The site is closed to the public. This will however, become a busy pedestrian thoroughfare when completed. .
Central Chelmsford. A ‘stream’ of Royal Green Granite with sandblasted text runs through the paving on site. Manufactured by Hardscape. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford. A ‘stream’ of Royal Green Granite with sandblasted text runs through the paving on site. Manufactured by Hardscape. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford. A ‘stream’ of Royal Green Granite with sandblasted text runs through the York Stone paving on site. Manufactured by Hardscape. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – Pedestrian routes through the central courtyard will open out on expansive views over a large landscaped public open space & Central Park beyond. Image: Christopher TippingCentral Chelmsford – When completed, pedestrian routes through the central courtyard & heart of the site will open out via a dramatic black brick portal entrance onto a landscaped public realm with the Anne Knight Building and Chelmsford Railway Station. Image: Christopher Tipping
More images in today from Hardscape detailing the manufacture of the large platform seat for Central Chelmsford.
Vinyl plotted with the design is applied to the granite slab before sandblasting.AS the process continues, the vinyl is stripped away to reveal areas to be sandblasted.The process is a skilled & precise one for Vlad to undertake. The slabs cannot be moved easily, so he has to move around the work.
The sandblast is no more than 2mm deep across the slab. The fine honed finish on the surface will be retained under the vinyl which still covers the letters.
The fine work is excellent. All the vinyl stencil which has been plotted and cut has to be weeded out by hand for sandblasting.The four granite slabs which make up the large platform seat awaiting more sandblasting outside.
Granite slabs completed. When wet the granite will become almost uniformly dark. As the surface dries, the images and text will begin to reveal themselves. The areas with no sandblasting or shallow detail will dry out first.
Hardscape have just completed sandblasting the large granite platform seat for my project at Burgess Springs, Central Chelmsford. They sent over a couple of images yesterday. Looking pretty good from here – really want to see more images !
Hard to convey to convey the size of this piece of work – each slab is approx. 1200mm x 1200mm.
I think they have done a great job – cant wait to see it installed on site.
Image: Hardscape – Large Granite Platform Seat in 4 sections, each 1200mm x 1200mmImage: Hardscape – Large Platform Seat in 4 sections, each 1200mm x 1200mm
One of the most striking & singular elements of the interpretation project at Burgess Springs, Central Chelmsford is the large granite platform seat.
This feature is some 2.4m square & manufactured in 4 large units. The surface is being sandblasted with images and text, both inspired by the writing of Anne Knight of Chelmsford.
The granite artwork is being project managed by Nigel Hudson, Masonry Product Manager for Hardscape at their premises at Long Marston, Stratford Upon Avon. The sandblasting is being carried out by Masonry Manager, Vladimir Zonozicka. We have met several times to discuss and sample the process & the collaboration has in turn, resulted in a much more interesting peice of work.
The image shows the light coloured vinyl stencil applied to the granite surface. Some layers of sandblasting have already been achieved & these have the vinyl stripped away to reveal the sandblasted surface. The deepest blasting is no more than 2mm, but the effects can be striking, particularly when wet or in direct sunlight. Image: HardscapeThe work is manufactured from a grey granite with a honed finish. The early artworks suggest a green colour – which was influenced by the Royal Green granite used for some paving detailing – this is not the case. Christopher Tipping for Central ChelmsfordDraft artwork in black & white with some text highlighted in red for the attention of the manufacturer, Hardscape. Christopher Tipping for Central Chelmsford
Draft artwork in black & white with some text highlighted in red for the attention of the manufacturer, Hardscape. Christopher Tipping for Central Chelmsford
Granite slab awaiting sandblasting by Hardscape. Christopher Tipping for Central Chelmsford
Works are well underway by the Ashfield Group to manufacture and supply the artwork step details to the project. The double height steps in York Stone are being inset with a darker granite text detail set into the face of the riser, which is part of the art interpretation on site. These double height steps will also have a slatted timber top, which creates ad hoc seating within the main sequence of steps at the southern end of the site. The timber will also carry cnc routed text.
Individual water jet cut granite letters are inset into York Stone, which has had the word already cut by water jet as a negative space. Image by Ashfield GroupThe letters are cut from granite tiles. Image by Ashfield GroupImage by Ashfield GroupImage by Ashfield GroupImage by Ashfield GroupImage by Ashfield GroupThe finished step block with negative text space awaiting granite letters to be inset. Image by Ashfield GroupFinished ! Image by Ashfield Group
507 new homes as well as retail and offices will make up the new development. The project is delivering a blueprint for a new community in Chelmsford.
The site has a number of key buildings once part of Anglia Ruskin University, which are being partly or wholly retained and refurbished. These are the Frederick Chancellor Building of 1905 and the Law Building of 1931.
One of the most historic & resonant as well as the earliest buildings on the site is the Grade II listedAnne Knightbuilding, a former Friends Meeting House from 1824. Named after one of Chelmsford’s most distinguished women, Anne Knight 1786 – 1862.
Anne Knight was a Quaker and a stalwart Anti Abolitionist, one of very few women to attend the World Anti Slavery Convention meeting held in London in 1840. She would have attended this Quaker Meeting House, now named after her. This is the key anchor building on site.The refurbished Anne Knight Building with new public realm
The view of The Gate with its blue black brick curved elevation. This area is intended as a public open space, extending the forecourt and public realm of Chelmsford Station. The ground floor elevations are glazed and the interiors will be used as retail and food outlets.
Looking South, through the aperture into The Place. The elevation of The Gate is dynamic & brooding. The crisp detailing is pared down. A facade of cantilevered black balconies appear to jut out from deep into the interior of the building from recessed windows.
Looking south towards Central Park through The Place. The main pedestrian route will be on the left of this image, with the remaining site will be landscaped as a formal courtyard garden for residents and visitors alike
The view north, towards the Station from within The Place
These are both samples of text to be used in the interpretive artwork which is embedded throughout the site. The sample on the left is York Stone with inset water jet cut grey granite, by Ashfield Ltd. Inset text such as this is used for step risers at the south of the site. The sandblasted sample on the right is part of a Royal Green granite paving supplied by Hardscape , called The Stream which runs continuously through the site north to south. Both interventions are based on contextual and site specific research I undertook.
