Skystation Sculptural Benchi by Peter Newman

Skystation Sculptural Benchi by Peter Newman is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award in Mapangidwe a Fenicha ya M'misewu Competition Category.

SilivaFenicha ya M'misewu· 2023

Skystation Sculptural Benchi

by Peter Newman

Client: Peter Newman Studio

Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award Winner in Fenicha ya M'misewu Category

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Colors

The Design

About Skystation Sculptural Benchi

Skystation ndi chosema cholumikizana chomwe chimaperekanso malo okhala anthu. Ma contours a ntchitoyo adapangidwa kuti agwirizane ndi mawonekedwe amunthu omwe akukhala pansi ndikulimbikitsa kulingalira zakuthambo. Malo omwe amapereka ndi ofanana ndi zomwe NASA imatcha Neutral Body Posture, yomwe ndi mawonekedwe omwe thupi limabwerera likakhala lopanda mphamvu yokoka. Skystation imapanga mwayi wopuma, kulingalira ndi kuyanjana pakati pa anthu. Zimalimbikitsidwa ndi lingaliro lamakono la mawonekedwe amatsatira ntchito. Zimakhala ndi chiyambukiro chamwadzidzidzi cha kupangitsa makambitsirano pakati pa anthu osawadziŵa kukhala osapeŵeka.

The Recognition

About the Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award

Skystation Sculptural Benchi ndi mmodzi mwa opambana a Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award, kuzindikirika kolemekezeka modabwitsa komwe kumaperekedwa kwa mapangidwe a pamwamba, okongola ndi ochititsa chidwi. Opambana a Siliva ndi ntchito zowala kwambiri ndi zolenga kwambiri zomwe zimaonetsa ukatswiri, luso ndi nzeru zakuthwa za opanga awo. Skystation Sculptural Benchi akuyembekezeka kukhala ntchito yodabwitsa yoonetsedwa, yaukatswiri wapadera ndi yatsopano kwambiri. Mapangidwe opambana Mphoto ya Siliva ya A' Design Award awa ndi chopangidwa chodziwika kwambiri ndi choyamikiridwa chomwe chimapindulitsa ndi kukulitsa malire a luso, sayansi, kapangidwe ndi ukadaulo. Skystation Sculptural Benchi ndi cholengedwa chomwe anthu ambiri amachichitira nsanje, chomwe chimadzutsa zilakolako, kubweretsa maganizo abwino ndi kuyatsa kudabwa ndi chidwi.

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