Tag Archives: Manifestation

The Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury

The Whiteleaf Centre is a £43 million 80-bed Mental Health Centre in Aylesbury. It was completed and opened in February 2014. The building was instigated by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and delivered by Kier Construction and Nightingale Architects. The Landscape Architects were Terra Firma Consultancy.

Whiteleaf Centre visual by Nightingale Associates, Project Architects
Whiteleaf Centre visual by Nightingale Associates, Project Architects

I was commissioned in November 2012 by Tom Cox, ‘Artscape’ Project Manager for Oxford Health, to develop artwork for glazing and walls which could also work as way finding. This was achieved via digital printing onto optically clear vinyl and vinyl wall covering by Guardian Glazing Films and their sub consultant Bonwyke.

Detail: Digital print on optically clear vinyl. Cafe & Waiting Area
12th February 2014. Detail: Digital print  on optically clear vinyl. Finally installed in the Cafe & Waiting Area

 

The project was influenced by its site history, firstly as a private residence called Manor House and an archive publication from the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, which listed in detail, the contents of the house & garden from its sale at the turn of the Century. The house & grounds eventually transformed into Manor House Hospital, which was completely demolished for the new build.  I was also really intrigued by the Ecological Assessment of the former Hospital site which was produced by Capita Symonds for Kier Build in 2011 which referred to the original seed bank of the site being present still in the spoil heaps of the demolition.

Text from the Ecological Assessment of the site carried out by Capita Symonds for Kier Build in 2011
Text from the Ecological Assessment of the site carried out by Capita Symonds for Kier Build in 2011

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Detailed descriptions of the gardens and their contents were contained in the sales particulars of the original Manor House
Detailed descriptions of the gardens and their contents were contained in the sales particulars of the original Manor House


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A list of animals and insects identified through study or anecdotal evidence as being either resident or visitors to the site.
A list of animals and insects identified through study or anecdotal evidence as being either resident or visitors to the site.

The artworks are presented as a series of interlinked vistas and quiet spaces which carry references to the site through the interior of the building.  The images also to the influence that gardens, nature & the natural world has within the understanding and treatment of acute mental health. One of the aims of the new building is to provide gardening opportunities for service users to grow things and to provide quiet outside spaces where people can be surrounded by planting and seasonal change.

Early concept visual of a garden with planted borders and tree
16th May 2013. Early concept visual of a garden with planted borders and tree
Draft design for the Cafe & Waiting room
23rd October 2013. Draft design for the Cafe & Waiting room
Draft design work for the Entrance Corridor glazing
Draft design work for the Entrance Corridor glazing
Draft designs in progress for the 4 Ward Hub areas
24th October 2013. Draft designs in progress for the 4 Ward Hub areas
17th May 2013. Many site visits enabled a continuing dialogue to be had with staff and the project team.
17th May 2013. Many site visits enabled a continuing dialogue to be had with staff and the project team.
3rd December 2013 - Final iconography signed off and building detailed designs ongoing.
3rd December 2013 – Final iconography signed off and building detailed designs ongoing.
3rd December 2013 - Detailed design for Entrance Corridor artwork is approved -
3rd December 2013 – Detailed design for Entrance Corridor artwork is approved –
12th February 2014 - Some vinyls installed, some small revisions and snags to resolve with the print.
12th February 2014 – Some vinyls installed, some small revisions and snags to resolve with the print.

 

12th February 2014 - Site meeting to review first batch of installations. Print detail really good.
12th February 2014 – Site meeting to review first batch of installations. Print detail really good.

 

12th February 2014 - installation started.
12th February 2014 – installation started.

 

12th February 2014 - meeting in the Cafe & Waiting area to review first installation sequence.
12th February 2014 – meeting in the Cafe & Waiting area to review first installation sequence.
12th February 2014 - Meeting Room glazing partially installed. One panel of glazing is cracked - so installation now delayed here for several weeks.
12th February 2014 – Meeting Room glazing partially installed. One panel of glazing is cracked – so installation now delayed here for several weeks.
12th February 2014 - Detail of Meeting Room window.
12th February 2014 – Detail of Meeting Room window.
12th February 2014 - some windows have text referencing the former house on the site set in a maelstrom scribbled line.
12th February 2014 – some windows have text referencing the former house on the site set in a maelstrom scribbled line.
25th September 2013, Final artwork approved for project. Meeting Room & Cafe Waiting Area
25th September 2013, Final artwork approved for project. Meeting Room & Cafe Waiting Area
9th December 2013 - Ward Hub designs approved for print.
9th December 2013 – Ward Hub designs approved for print.
9th December 2013 - Ward Hub 'A' approved for print.
9th December 2013 – Ward Hub ‘A’ approved for print.

 

 

2nd December 2013 - Ward Hub 'D' approved for print.
2nd December 2013 – Ward Hub ‘D’ approved for print.
2nd December 2014 - detail to corridor artwork has printed incorrectly. The vixen is meant to be surrounded by an opaque cloud. This elements spans several panels, so is a pain to have to re-print. I actually quite like the effect - wish I had left is as it was!
2nd December 2014 – detail to corridor artwork has printed incorrectly. The vixen is meant to be surrounded by an opaque cloud. This elements spans several panels, so is a pain to have to re-print. I actually quite like the effect – wish I had left is as it was ! – but the coral colour tree on the right has also printed incorrectly – so the whole lot has to go.
2nd December 2014 - Detail - small violet at the base of the Meeting Room window.
2nd December 2014 – Detail – small violet at the base of the Meeting Room window.

 

 

 

Central Chelmsford

This is the development as seen from  the southern edge of the site, looking north.
This is the Central Chelmsford development as seen from the southern edge of the site, looking north.
Draft designs for granite inset text to York stone steps & cnc routed text to timber seating of 'The Steps' at the southern end of the site.
Draft designs for granite inset text to York stone steps & cnc routed text to timber seating of ‘The Steps’ at the southern end of the site.

The Central Chelmsford development has been in progress on site since 2012.  I was commissioned to join the team as project artist in January of this year.

The integrated project team is made up of :

Client: Genesis Housing Association. Main Contractor: Denne. Project Managers: Bidwells. Architects: PTEarchitects. Landscape Architects: Area Landscape Architects. Arts Consultant: Frances Lord

You can hear more on the project via this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orYUpbnacis

The site has a number of key buildings which were once a part of of Anglia Ruskin University. 507 new homes as well as retail and offices will make up the new development. The project is delivering a new community in Chelmsford.

One of the most historic & resonant as well as the earliest buildings on the site is the Grade II listed Anne Knight building, 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, attending the World Anti Slavery Convention meeting held in London in 1840. Her views and correspondence on women’s rights led to her publishing what is considered to be the very first leaflet on women’s suffrage in 1847.

I have also responded to the landscape plans and architectural flow  & rhythm of the site as well exploring how the various elements  & spaces of the site are navigated and used by pedestrians. As the hub of a new community, the communal areas of the development are important places for people to take ownership of.

As well as collaborating with the project team I am also working and collaborating with several manufacturers and specialist contractors such as Hardscape, Ashfield Ltd & City Squared on elements of paving, seating and steps throughout the site, where interventions will be made via cnc routed text into timber and water jet cut and sandblasted granite.

I am working with City Squared in Leeds to develop the bespoke timber seating as well as to perfect the cnc routed text applied to the the timber.
I am working with City Squared in Leeds to develop the bespoke timber seating as well as to perfect the cnc routed text applied to the the timber. I have most recently been in discussions with a typographer to ensure that all the text is delivered with clarity and distinction.
Draft visual for proposal to sandblast detail onto a large granite platform seat.
Draft visual for proposals to sandblast detail onto a large granite platform seat.
An aerail view of the site which sits adjacent to the railway line
An aerial view of the site which sits adjacent to the railway line – outlined here in red.
Black brick curving facade of The Gate which forms the key elevation on site
Vertically set, black brick curving facade of The Gate which forms the key elevation & gateway on site
Draft scope for timber seating and granite detailing within The Place
Detail: Plan drawings & draft scope for timber seating and granite detailing within The Place
There are a number of brick built tree planters within The Place. Several of them have timber seating detailed as part of the artwork scheme. This large timber platform seat with longitudinal timbers will have text added via cnc routing.
There are a number of brick built tree planters within The Place. Several of them have timber seating detailed as part of the artwork scheme. This visual for a  large timber platform seat with longitudinal timbers  is still in development. It will also have text added via cnc routing. Visual by City Squared.
Draft text to York Stone double step risers with timber seat
Draft: Granite text to York Stone double step risers with timber seat
Draft visual of The Steps, with inset text to York Stone risers and digital manifestation to the glazed curtain wall.
Early draft  visual – an elevation drawing of The Steps, with inset granite text to York Stone risers and digital manifestation to the glazed curtain wall.

‘Bransholme Seed Cloud’. Winifred Holtby & Tweendykes Schools

‘Bransholme Seed Cloud’

The area around Bransholme has been farmed, cultivated, reclaimed & regenerated slowly over a period of 1000 years. In 1966 the green landscape of ditches & fields was to change dramatically & radically with the building of the new satellite town of Bransholme, now home to over 30,000 people.

The area is still rich in its bio-diversity. The streams, ditches, drains & dykes which dissect Bransholme & its surrounding land provide habitat for a diverse flora & fauna.

At the very heart of Bransholme stands the new Winifred Holtby Secondary and Tweendykes Special School.

This project was inspired by the locality and its rich history and topography. It was equally driven by the relationship which developed within the project team, which included both Head Teachers.

The artwork was digitally printed onto optically clear vinyl & applied to the curtain wall glazing, which spanned both school environments at Winifred Holtby & Tweendykes Schools. It was manufactured & installed by Artworks Solutions Ltd. The new Schools are part of a ‘Building Schools for the Future’ initiative.

Client: Esteem Consortium, Morgan Sindall & JM Architects with Art Consultant Andrew Knight.
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Draft for the Winifred Holtby School
Draft for the Winifred Holtby School
Tweendykes School artwork draft
Tweendykes School artwork draft
Draft detail of all  iconography set into the maelstrom cloud.
Draft detail of all
iconography set into the maelstrom cloud.
This is a sample of all the elements which were drawn up to provide the visual narrative for the project. The all have a specific meaning to the project.
This is a sample of all the elements which were drawn up to provide the visual narrative for the project. The all have a specific meaning to the project.