Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd by Peter Newman

Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd by Peter Newman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Gwobr Arian A' Design Award in Dodrefn Stryd Competition Category.

ArianDodrefn Stryd· 2023

Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd

by Peter Newman

Client: Peter Newman Studio

Gwobr Arian A' Design Award Winner in Dodrefn Stryd Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd

Mae Skystation yn gerflun rhyngweithiol sydd hefyd yn darparu rhai seddau cyhoeddus. Mae cyfuchliniau'r gwaith wedi'u cynllunio i gyd-fynd â'r ffurf ddynol lledorwedd ac annog myfyrdod ar yr awyr. Mae'r seddi y mae'n eu darparu yn debyg i'r hyn y mae NASA yn ei alw'n Niwtral Corff Osgo, sef y siâp y mae'r corff yn dychwelyd iddo pan nad yw'n cael dylanwad disgyrchiant. Mae gorsaf awyr yn creu cyfle i oedi, myfyrio a rhyngweithio o fewn y parth cyhoeddus. Mae wedi'i ysbrydoli gan y syniad modernaidd o ffurf a ganlyn swyddogaeth. Mae'n cael yr effaith achlysurol o wneud sgyrsiau rhwng dieithriaid bron yn anochel.

The Recognition

About the Gwobr Arian A' Design Award

Mae Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd yn enillydd Gwobr Arian A' Design Award, cydnabyddiaeth hynod fawreddog a roddir i ddyluniadau o'r radd uchaf, hardd a thrawiadol. Mae enillwyr Arian yn weithiau tra disglair a hynod greadigol sydd yn darlunio arbenigedd, dawn a chraffter rhagorol eu dylunwyr. Disgwylir i Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd fod yn waith gwych ac esiampl, yn nodedig o broffesiynol ac yn ddwfn arloesol. Mae'r dyluniad buddugol hwn o Wobr Arian A' Design Award yn ddyfais hynod nodedig a edmygir sydd yn elwa ac yn symud ymlaen ffiniau celf, gwyddoniaeth, dylunio a thechnoleg. Mae Skystation Ddodrefn Stryd yn greadigaeth y cenfigennir wrthi yn eang, sydd yn deffro dyheadau, yn cyflwyno teimladau cadarnhaol ac yn cynnau rhyfeddod a syndod.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Skystation is an interactive sculpture that also provides some public seating. The contours of the work are designed to fit the reclining human form and encourage contemplation of the sky.
The seating it provides is similar to what NASA calls Neutral Body Posture, which is the shape the body returns to when free from the influence of gravity. Skystation creates an opportunity for pause, reflection and interaction within the public realm. Conversations between strangers are almost inevitable.
Dimensions & Packaging: 4100mm x 4100mm x 675mm
Tags: Skystation, sculpture, bench, public art, installation, seating
Production Technology: Cast aluminium bronze, brushed satin finish.
Six segments were sand cast and precision cut, to align together on a stainless steel sub-structure. Assembled together on site.
Design Challenge: To realise the design as a permanent installation required production in a material that would last a long time and was in keeping with the aesthetic of the work.
Aluminium bronze is a material used in the marine environment due to its resistance to corrosion and seems fitting in redeveloped wharf of London.
A golden disk also has a symbolic association with the sun and the sky going back to antiquity.
The colour introduces a warm tone among the cool steel that characterises the district.
Research: Real world research was done with life size seating profiles, tested by a large number of volunteers, to be as comfortable as possible to a wide range of people lying down.
The chosen profile was then spun through 360 degrees and refined into a sculpture form.
Fibreglass prototypes of the finished sculpture were installed in various public locations. This has shown the positive impact of introducing an interactive sculpture into the pubic realm. It appeals to all ages and serves as a place-making element and encourages social interaction.
Inspiration: Inspired by the LC4 chaise-longue, by Le Corbusier, Perriand and Jeanneret and the modernist idea of form follows function.
Looking upwards is inherently optimistic, and something akin to thinking about the future. Cognitive research suggests we do our best thinking lying down.
Project Duration: Permanent installation at Canary Wharf, London.
Operation Flow: The sculpture can be used for sitting and lying down by up to 12 people. Although designed with adults in mind, children find the most inventive ways to interact with the shape.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #2: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #3: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #4: Photographer Peter Newman, Skystation 2022
Image #5: Photographer Google Landsat / Copernicus, Canary Wharf 2022