Wolverhampton

2001

The brief was to create a sculptural feature and a pocket park set amidst housing, with the busy thoroughfare Wednesfield Way to one side of the site. Together with the landscape architecture department of the Council I developed a scheme of sculptural seating and a sequence of terraces that rise gently away from the road, allowing the pedestrian respite from the traffic.

The scheme is inspired by the canals that run close to the site. The large seating timbers are like lock gates and the curving walls reference similarly robust walling on the canalside. A series of bollards created in handmade brick are reminiscent of the mooring bollards along the canal, but here made into large sculptural features that create presence and draw the viewer into the site.

I worked with local school children to create bricks inspired by leaves, that the contractor could then build into the walls. The leaf motifs reference the natural world that was coming back to life and added a layer of community engagement that created ownership and sense of pride.

For posterity, there is a time capsule placed inside the right-hand large pillar, with stories and drawings by the children.

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