Beetham Organization, Holloway Circus, Birmingham

Introducing works of art into a landmark scheme in Birmingham.

Client: Beetham Organization
Architects: Ian Simpson Architects
Local Authority: Birmingham City Council

Plan worked with Beetham Organisation and Ian Simpson Architects to develop means of introducing works of art into this important scheme in Birmingham.

Plan orchestrated the production of a series of proposals by the artists Kate MccGwire, Jane Prophet and Michael Bleyenberg for commissions both inside the hotel and as part of the environment of Holloway Circus itself.

The successful artist was Jane Prophet. Her commission consisted of two elements, a curtain and a pattern for the floor. For the curtain the artist put forward a lightweight fire retardant polyester material gathered in ‘silky’ finish or in flat ‘rigid’ sections to form continuous curtain. The total length of the piece is 120 metres. Is is divided into sections to enable affordable replacement in event of damage.
 
The work for the floor is a tree pattern which is etched on the lobby floor. The  pattern is introduced with specialist metallic and glazed to be flush with floor. The shape of the Tree itself was developed through CAD software so as to begin from the mat at the entrance to the hotel and continuing up the back wall so as to Image to be extended up from the etching on the floor to a shadow on the back wall of lead  the eye up to the first floor restaurant.