This week we visited Hardscape, a landscaping material supplier based in Stratford-Upon-Avon.  Hardscape have been integral to the Chatham Placemaking Project supplying the granite and collaborating with Lead Artist Christ Tipping on the Creative Public Realm elements of the scheme. It was a fascinating visit, as we witnessed the various processes granite goes through for text and pattern work to be embedded in the stone.  Waterjet cutting, flameblasting, sandblasting, as well as hand chiselled letters for inlaid text.  The kerb details at Chatham are specificed at 450mm wide, 150mm wider than standard Chatham kerbs and they looked impressive.  This detail was proposed by Chris to reflect the oversized materials used at Chatham Historic Dockyard.  The embedded text reflects stories, anecdotes and facts which will flow from Chatham Station to Military Square.  Construction work is ongoing and due to complete by June 2018. 

Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A) have created the first porcelain tiled public courtyard in the UK.  Shimmering in the sunlight, the Sackler Courtyard is a new entrance from Exhibition Road into the Victoria and Albert Musuem and creates a grand arrival and new public space. Chosen the right shoes that day too!

Working on the Chatham Placemaking Project we're delighted to be working with designer maker Andrew Lapthorn. Andrew is collaborating with Lead Artist Chris Tipping to produce a series of benches for New Cut, Railway Street and Military Road. The benches are a combination of granite and timber and this week we were lucky enough to take a look in the timber sheds at the Dockyard where we are hoping to source the timber.  The benches have been inspired by 'Chatham Timbers' and robust bespoke nature of materials used within the Dockyard. So it was great to go back to that source of inspiration and discuss what timbers we could use with Andrew, a master craftsman based there. 

A few days away in Mallorca recently highlighted the importance the island places on the artists, the public realm and creativity.  From the Museum of Modern Art and its expansive collection to the playful public artwork and furniture found in the many squares. My hotel even displayed some quirky artworks.