The project was approved last week and the files went to print earlier this week. The last two days have seen most of the digitally printed vinyl installed.
Final Artwork – all black areas will print as clearFinal Artwork – draft with production marks –Drawing / Model – Draft room plan and applied manifestationsDetail: single panel installed – Image: Tom Cox, Artscape
Image: Tom Cox, Artscape
Image: Tom Cox, ArtscapeImage: Tom Cox, ArtscapeImage: Tom Cox, Artscape
We now have a schedule agreed and are working to issue draft artwork for comment and hopefully, approval by this time next week.
Detail: draft artwork –
It was agreed that the principle we should follow is to develop a highly visual & primarily figurative narrative, which also provides a privacy screen between the users of the ward rooms and the external courtyards. The courtyard landscapes are brand new, with ground level put to grass and no planting at height to provide cover or privacy screening. This has however provided the opportunity to create a new and imaginary landscape, which bridges the gap between figurative and recognisable details and structures from the external landscape, alongside abstract and original forms and patterns found within the artwork.
The works are to be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl in layers of opaque and transparent white, with some added colour. The attention to detail will be focussed on a horizontal band across the mid section of the glazing screen to provide privacy. The top section will be left clear, so that uninterrupted views of the sky can be had. We are working closely with Guardian Window Film to manufacture & install the work.
Detail: draft artwork development –
These images are simply the first steps in creating a visual language and narrative for the project. The artwork is being developed as a long rectangular landscape – as a view through a window – . Each of the 10 ward rooms – each with a window, will be detailed with a section of this work, to give the appearance that each room has a unique identity and view of its own.
Detail from sketchbooksDetail form sketchbooksDetail: draft artwork in black & white
The artwork draft above shows the printed artwork as shades and layers of opaque white. The black areas will show as clear glass in the final works.
Detail: draft artwork – Mock up of vinyl application on the glazing screen in one of the ward rooms.
There are 10 small one & two bed ward rooms arranged in two ward blocks within the new hospital by Nightingale Architects. The rooms are full of natural light and the interior colour schemes are muted and calm, with the odd spot of brighter colour, such as the chair. The artwork manifestation will respond to this scheme. The views through the windows are now partially obscured, providing a degree of privacy for the user, whilst also maintaining sufficient clear glass to allow natural light and changing weather conditions to be seen.
Detail: Draft ArtworkDetail: Iconography has been developed for the project using drawings of leaves and branching structures to create original & imagined plants. These are not botanical illustrations, rather, an impression of a landscape imagined.Detail: IconographyDetail: IconographyDetail: Draft artwork for 3 x Chrysanthemums – various textures and transparenciesDetail: draft artwork
Bicester Community Hospital – Image by Kajima.co.uk
The new works will be digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl and applied to the glazed window & door screens of 10 ward rooms throughout the building.
Typical glazed integrated door & window screen for digitally printed artwork.
External view of ground floor elevation with glazed screens
The work is being manufactured and installed to my designs by Guardian Window Film.
The digitally printed glazing manifestation artworks will be manufactured and installed by VGL.
VGL’s production artwork with annotations by the artist in red & blue –
Phase 2 draft artwork with production notes –
Phase 2 artwork draft with production notes – detailPhase 2 artwork drafts with artist production notes – detailPhase 2 artwork drafts with artist production notes – detailPhase 2 artwork draft in full –Phase 2 – Detail of artist draft –
The draft designs for the digitally printed vinyl manifestations to the glazed curtain wall at CentralChelmsford was approved some time ago, but I have omitted to post any images for some obscure reason !
Here they are ! –
Draft artwork for digitally printed vinyl to main entrance screen and lobby
In a similar approach as that adopted for my recent manifestation project at Sheffield Hallam University, which is a print-white only process, layering transparent & opaque detail onto optically clear vinyl. This project is being delivered in collaboration with VGL Ltd
Detail: Digitally printed vinyl manifestation to the glazed entrance lobby screen
Detail: Digitally printed vinyl manifestation to the glazed entrance lobby screen
Detail: Digitally printed vinyl manifestation to the glazed entrance lobby screen
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.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2014 – Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield Hallam University. Today I attended on site to review the Phase 1 glazing manifestation artwork installations for myself and meet with VGL who were on site to view the works in tandem with the main contractor, Graham Construction. I was also meeting with the University Clients to review the final scope for the Phase 2 installation of artwork. The building now appears to be semi open for use – but still going through various procedures and protocols, I suppose to ensure all goes smoothly once the mass of students arrive later this month! Great not to have to gear up with PPE. The building is looking amazing. Graham & HLM have done a wonderful job. External landscape is almost completed. The East Elevation of the building has an amazing aspect. It was a clear blue-sky day with lots of sun, which are good conditions for looking at the manifestations, as they are more likely to cast great shadows, which add considerably to the impact and variation within the works.
Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate CrescentAs seen from Crescent RoadCNC routed West Elevation rain screen
The West Elevation rain screen is really quite reflective in strong sun. Athough this is a painted grey finish, it is glossy and can appear metallic. The exposed Rockpanel material beneath the colour coat has now really darkened from the earlier yellow colour. The surface is more subtle, but richer in appearance. The impact is muted from afar, but the details really begin to emergeon the approach.
The Western Entrance off Broomgrove Road is now almost completed. Some final touches to the landscaping will see this completed. As you pass through the entrance doors, the interior quickly opens out onto the central atrium, which is spectacular. The glazing manifestation artwork can be clearly seen.
Entering the atrium space and hub of the building, with the main reception on the right and the Main East Entrance straight ahead, you can just start to make out the glazing installation. If you turn to the left, this is what you see….The central atrium space as seen from Level 1
This is the three storey central atrium space and ‘Heart of the Campus’. The client had originally commissioned artwork manifestations to much of the visible glazing, but on reflection, the transparency and legibility of the interior spaces & architectural form may have been compromised and it was decided to omit them from the project. The artwork manifestations to the ground floor exterior curtain wall glazing, linking the East and North entrances, is still being commissioned as the Phase 2 works.
Shadows cast by the artwork manifestation add another dimension to the work and come and go with the sun.
This image shows the artwork applied to the interior glazed lobby, with the central atrium space just visible on the left.
In bright sunlight, shadows are cast form the manifestation to carry across structural elements such as glazing screen frames and supporting columns. This interplay extends the range and impact of the artwork.The East Elevation Main Entrance doors are automatic and the manifestations cross and overlap as the doors open, creating yet another pattern.
North Entrance glazed elevation with applied artwork manifestations.Detail of digitally printed artwork to glazing manifestations. North Entrance glazed screen.East Elevation glazed screen with applied artwork manifestations. This is the main entrance and interior lobby area with reception.Seen from the open balcony areas of Level 1, the North Elevation Entrance artwork can be clearly seen.East Entrance interior lobby space.
Tuesday 26th August 2014 Several images of the installation have just come in from VGL ‘s installers. These are low res images. I will be making a trip up to Sheffield in the next week or so to review the site prior to the Phase 2 works being undertaken. I will hopefully get more detailed images too !
Interior of the east elevation main entrance screenEast elevationEast elevationEast elevationInterior view of north elevation entrance screen
GLAZING MANIFESTATION ARTWORKS TO THE ‘HEART OF THE CAMPUS’ BUILDING FOR SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY, COLLEGIATE CAMPUS .
DIGITALLY PRINTED WHITE INKS OVERLAIN IN OPAQUE & TRANSPARENT LAYERS ONTO OPTICALLY CLEAR VINYL .
Up to Sheffield to walk around site with Carly Birkett of VGL . I am developing the glazing manifestation artwork in collaboration with VGL and we have limited time to get this project developed and installed. As usual the project contractors, Graham Construction were really helpful on site and assisted in the process of taking all ‘as built’ measures of the glazing screens which will take the artwork.
East elevation main entrance glazing screen.East elevation stonework cladding looking great.Level 2 atrium glazing screen.Draft artwork for digitally printed artwork manifestation to the East Entrance glazing screen.Draft artwork for the Level 1 ‘pod’ glazing.Mock-up visual of draft artwork for the Level 2 glazing screen.Draft visual mock-up of applied digitally printed manifestation to Level 2 screens.
The proposals for glazing manifestations is a continuation of the west elevation Rockpanel rains creen artwork, where cnc routed detailed drawings where been used to create a hard edged and graphic finish, dictated in part by its design influences in historic printmaking and metalworking in Sheffield and by the materials and methods of its own production. The manifestation artworks being are created using the same base visual language & influences developed & explored in the Rockpanel work. This proposal expands upon this concept to explore a softer more fluid application concerned with lightness, detail, transparency & opacity to create a balancing contrast to the dynamic geometry & scale of the building. ‘The designs are abstract & cloud-like, suggesting ephemeral objects, floating within the architectural space from the ground floor to the very top of the atrium roof. The interactions of the various patterns and forms, overlaying and meeting to create new shapes, details and transparencies suggest a coalescing of conversations, interactions, disciplines and dialogue. The exhalations & energy of everyone who may use this new building are manifest here’. The digitally printed vinyl manifestation is applied to the glazing directly which requires a lighter touch than the West Elevation artwork. The detail and narrative appear as if blown and drifted through the building. This project is a continuation, extension and elaboration of the recently completed West Elevation Rockpanel Rainscreen artwork, where cnc routed detail has been used to create a hard edged and graphic appearance, dictated in part by its origins in printmaking and metalworking and the materials and methods of its production. The original concept was developed as a contextual research document, which still stands as the concept driver for the project and is submitted for reference along with this presentation. ‘The manifestation artworks being proposed in draft form here are created from the same base visual language developed for the Rockpanel Rainscreen works of the west elevation, but expandsupon this concept to explore a softer more fluid application concerned with light, space & transparency to create a balancing contrast to the dynamic geometry of the building.
Mock-up visual of Level 2 Screen. White inks digitally printed and overlain.Artwork draft for the Level 2 atrium screen.Level 2 Artwork draft for digitally printed glazing vinyl.Draft artwork for Level 2 screen.
I made a site visit to the Heart of the Campus building along with Andrew Illingworth, Interior Designer for HLM Architects & Garry Farmer, Project Manager for Graham Construction, the main contractors on the project. Seen from Collegiate Crescent, the building is just visible behind the mature Beech trees.
Heart of the Campus building, just appearing behind the Beech trees on Collegiate Crescent.East Elevation stonework looking incredibly sharp in the sunlight.
I have been commissioned to extend the original brief for a cnc routed Rockpanel rainscreen on the West Elevation to include digitally printed vinyl manifestations for the East Elevation glazed curtain wall and interiors. This was an incredibly useful visit as the building has really moved forward since my last time here in January this year.
The interior atrium is three storeys high and filled with light. It is a dynamic architectural space which has as a centrepiece, a cantilevered cube projecting out from the first floor. When sunlight floods in via the fully glazed atrium roof, the whole building is suffused with light and shadows.
The interior atrium space is dynamic and light filledA cantilevered cube meeting space project out into the atrium from the first floor meThis is the view from inside the first floor cantilevered cube room.The atrium roof is fully glazed and when a break in the clouds fills the space with light and shadows, the effect is pretty wonderful.The interior of the main East Entrance to the building is a double height glazed curtain wall. This is an amazing site for the artwork manifestation.
This is a part of the external East Elevation entrance, with the double height glazed curtain wall.
Whilst on site I couldn’t resist a quick look at the West Elevation Rockpanel ‘drawing’. This artwork is cnc routed into the rain screen panels & was manufactured by The Cutting Room in Huntingdon. The exposed base material, almost a bright yellow colour when first exposed, darkens in contact with sunlight and has now achieved its permanent shade. This is more subtle then when first installed, & has now blended in with its architectural setting. Up close, the detail is crisp and casts strong shadows on a sunny day.
West Elevation cnc ‘drawing’ on the Rockpanel rain screen.Cnc Rockpanel ‘drawing’ up close, which reveals the finer detailing and shadows cast.Detail: cnc routed Rockpanel ‘drawing’, up close.
Draft designs for the glazing manifestation.
The first drafts for the glazing manifestations were produced in January this year and use the same iconography as the West Elevation cnc work. The manifestations however, being digitally printed, have no need for hard edges and manageable cutting paths. The designs will work with transparency and light to achieve their results. Digital printing further allows for a range of softer and finer details to be introduced. This is what I am currently working on. The manifestations serve a distinct purpose and have to comply with building regulations. Beyond that, the artwork can develop in many original ways to drift through the building.
