Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli by Peter Newman

Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli by Peter Newman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Ohtlapechtli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlOhtlapechtli· 2023

Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli

by Peter Newman

Client: Peter Newman Studio

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Ohtlapechtli Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli

Skystation ca cē tlachīhualli nēnepanōlli, nō quinnāmictia icpalli mochīntin. Īnecentlālīl in tequitl mochīuh īca tlācayōtl onoc īhuān tēpalehuia ma quitlanēmilīcan ilhuicatl. Īn icpalli yuhqui īn NASA quitōa Neutral Body Posture, yēhuātl necentlālīlli tonacayo oncuepani īquac ahmo ītēch mani tlālhuicaliztli. Skystation quichīhua cē tlamaniliztli īpan cāhualiztli, nēyōlnonotzaliztli īhuān nēnepanōliztli ītech mochīntin īntlāl. Mottīlia īpan yancuīc tlanēmīliztli: necentlālīlli quinānquīlia tequitl. Quipiya cē tlamaniliztli: quichīhua ma ahmo momatih tlahtocan, cencah nēnqui monēqui.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Skystation Tlachīhualicpalli quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

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