| Background to the commission
The University of the West of England (UWE) have recently completed their expansion of teaching accommodation at the Frenchay Campus, north of Bristol. The new "Architecture and Planning Studio Building" uses innovative technology in construction methods, and is the first School of Architecture to be built in the UK for 25 years. The Architectural philosophy demands that the building acts as an educational resource in its own right, hence the construction techniques are evident inside and out, and incorporate glued brickwork, and straw bale panels. The plan form is a simple 42 x 23m rectangle, oriented with the long axis east-west, along the north side, and benefitting from even north light, are 9 design studios, stacked on 3 floors. To the south, further specialist teaching areas, including a GIS lab, workshops and seminar rooms. Running east-west, there is a large double height "atrium" space, for exhibitions, student and corporate events, and which is key to natural ventilation. The Commission Brief The Faculty of the Built Environment at UWE wished to commission a work of Public Art that would act as an permanent educational resource, for both staff, students, and visitors alike. I therefore based my initial designs on a universal and lasting theory of Colour, in particular making reference to the work of Johannes Itten at the Bauhaus. This lends credence and integrity to the project, and unites the Architecture with the Artwork in a unique way. The Artwork in Detail The scale of the project (the largest exploration of Colour Theory in the UK) demanded that the project be completed in 2 phases as follows: Phase 1 Comprises some 23 panels, all facing into the "public space" of the building. A large (3m) diameter 12-hue colour circle is located at the main entrance, and acts as a key to the rest of the scheme. The 12-hue circle explains the disposition of three primaries, secondaries and tertiary hues, along with their associated complementaries. In the centre of the circle is placed a 3 dimensional colour prism, demonstrating the spatial quality of pure colour. Opposite the 12-hue circle a 12-tone circle, represents colour seen as tone. The remaining panels demonstrate complementary colour expression, effect and spatial quality. Externally, the 4 straw bale panels are treated as complementary contrasts (blue-orange) and " close harmony' contrast (green-orange). Phase 2 Develops the 12-hue theory into 7 colour contrasts; contrast of hue, saturation, extension, warm-cold, light-dark, complementary contrast, simultaneous contrast, tint, tone and shade, 3 and 4 colour harmonies. These panels are arranged in the 9 studios, 3 per studio. The panels were completed in the studio, and use over 150 Crown Trade colours painted on mdf panels in 1500 individual squares. images of phase 1 external panels |