The second project we got involved with was an artistic installation for the Conrad Arcade.

This artistic architectural installation embodies a design that celebrates this building’s high status and the importance of the surrounding local area. This new application comes as a goodwill gesture on behalf of the owner of the building and attempts to revitalize a commonly overlooked section of the building with a new, exciting, sculptural installation.

The concept originates from a symbolic poem written by Jane Austen in 1815 about the neighbourhood surrounding Brunswick Square. Austen, in her poem, celebrates the unique higher standing of the Brunswick Square area compared to other areas in London. The installation attempts to reinforce the ideals described in the poem through a symbolic 3D artistic structure with the name “We Are So Airy”. The installation’s presence in the building will act as a reminder of the underlying sentiment of the poem of this area having a desirable character seldom found anywhere else (despite the poem being written over 200 years ago). Furthermore, it will be a fantastic addition to the already appealing living and recreational environment of the Brunswick Centre and square. On the 10th and the 16th of September a survey took place with the residents of Brunswick centre asking about their opinion of the existing arcade and the proposed installation. The residents have been extremely welcoming and invaluably helpful with their participation in survey. The feedback was a majority of 88.89% in support of the proposed design with the most frequently received comment being – the design makes the arcade look festive all-year round. The residents were unanimous in their opinions of the existing arcade – in that it looks gloomy, empty and somewhat depressing all year round (except during the Christmas period). Some residents expressed that they avoided using the arcade due to the uninviting design. During the Christmas period, festive lighting arrangements are used in the arcade making it more inviting. The proposed new design is intended to have a similar effect. View fullsize View fullsize Furthermore, research from nearby passengers suggested that people that didn’t know about the shopping centre, they didn’t thought that the arcade was leading somewhere, they couldn’t see where it was ended and it was not an invited place at all. A big problem as more than 50% of the visitors everyday are tourist according to the security officers of the centre. View fullsize View fullsize The installation will be composed of environmental friendly material; primarily laminated timber. This sustainable approach and respect of the environment is an important design consideration. The aim is for the design to achieve the highest BREEAM rating as well as a gold LEED certificate. The timber will be environmental friendly, laser-cut, pre-casted, and pre-made offsite which saves a considerable amount of energy and wasted material compared to on-site fabrication.

Also, it reduces the amount of construction hours spent on site which minimizes disruption to the residents and stores caused by construction. The installation will be entirely free-standing without any need for foundations and only requiring minimal support of the existing structure. View fullsize View fullsize The existing arcade is rather dark therefore new ground lighting will be installed to illuminate the entire installation. Also, projectors will be fitted in order to project information about the centre’s events and stores on the ceiling. The projected information will move around the installation creating a more dynamic atmosphere throughout the arcade – like a show of lights.

This design is more complicated due to its more stylised THINK NATURE motif. This has been due to the correspondence with the artistic concept and the relation to it. The owner commissioned us with the task of creating something unique for this building as we specialise in artistic and sculptural architecture.

Environmental friendly techniques:

Low energy lights and fittings Recycled timber Structural 3D Printing Shape of the roof prevents wind turbulence