Skystation Skulpta Benko by Peter Newman

Skystation Skulpta Benko by Peter Newman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Arĝenta A' Design Award in Dezajno de Strata Meblaro Competition Category.

ArĝentoStrata Meblaro· 2023

Skystation Skulpta Benko

by Peter Newman

Client: Peter Newman Studio

Arĝenta A' Design Award Winner in Strata Meblaro Category

745,433

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #149050

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Skystation Skulpta Benko

Skystation estas interaga skulptaĵo kiu ankaŭ disponigas iun publikan sidigadon. La konturoj de la laboro estas dizajnitaj por konveni la kuŝantan homan formon kaj instigi kontempladon de la ĉielo. La sidigado, kiun ĝi provizas, similas al tio, kion NASA nomas Neŭtrala Korpa Pozo, kiu estas la formo, al kiu la korpo revenas kiam libera de la influo de gravito. Skystation kreas ŝancon por paŭzo, pripensado kaj interagado ene de la publika sfero. Ĝi estas inspirita de la modernisma ideo de formo sekvas funkcion. Ĝi havas la hazardan efikon fari konversaciojn inter fremduloj preskaŭ neeviteblaj.

The Recognition

About the Arĝenta A' Design Award

Skystation Skulpta Benko estas gajninto de la Arĝenta A' Design Award, grandege prestiĝa rekono donata al plejklasaj, belegaj kaj impresaj dezajnoj. La Arĝentaj gajnintoj estas treege brilaj kaj treege kreemaj verkoj, kiuj ilustras la elstaran sperton, talenton kaj sagacon de siaj dezajnistoj. Oni atendas, ke Skystation Skulpta Benko estu mirinda, montrinda verko, kiu estas rimarkinde profesia kaj profunde nova. Ĉi tiu dezajno gajninta la Arĝentan A' Design Award estas tre rimarkinda, admirata inventaĵo, kiu profitigas kaj antaŭenigas la limojn de arto, scienco, dezajno kaj teknologio. Skystation Skulpta Benko estas vaste enviata kreaĵo, kiu vekas dezirojn, alportas pozitivajn sentojn kaj ekbrilas miron kaj mirigon.

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