Taylor Warren Developments, Curzon Square, Mayfair

Integration of sculpture to form public seating within Curzon Square to offer passers by a place to rest and relax.

Sculpture to form public seating

Client: Taylor Warren Developments    
Artist:  John Aiken   
Architects:  Rolfe Judd Group Practice 
Local Authority:  Westminster

Background

Curzon Square is a new urban space, which is defined by a combination of historic and new buildings. The shape of the square is irregular but takes the basic form of a rectangle planted with two rows of trees laid out in formal symmetry which is accentuated by the use of York stone paving slabs inset with a pattern of square section sets.

     

Concept

The art works are positioned strategically as a series of six granite sculptures. These respond to the geometry of the space and the buildings that define them. They are located so as to encourage and emphasise routes through the square and pathways to the various entrances of the surrounding buildings. Their location and placement would also create areas that allow visitors or staff from adjoining buildings to sit and enjoy the ambience of the square.

The sculptures are made from contrasting blocks of granite. The colours and textures have been chosen to compliment the York stone paving and harmonise with the diverse materials used in the construction of the neighbouring buildings.

The two materials used are a deep black granite from Zimbabwe and a close textured silver grey granite from Portugal. The construction of each sculpture joins two blocks of these different granites together. The form of the sculptures is similar but each one is unique and has a distinctive character due to the relationship between those areas that have been machine cut and are highly polished and other areas that have been left in their natural quarried state.