Designposts: Park Royal design district
Capturing an environment in transformation
This project is the culmination of a two-month collaboration between the London Design Festival, designer Sebastian Cox, Peter Marigold and myself. The LDF commissioned me to design and make a sculptural design piece representing the Park Royal borough as part of a series spotlighting various areas of London. Additionally, a key constraint was to utilize only American Red Oak, in line with the partnership with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), a prominent event sponsor.
My role
Research, sketching, prototyping and final design proposal
Solving problems relative to construction, participation in the crafting process
Communication on the project through interviews and promotional materials
To capture the enduring legacy of whiskey distilleries and cooperages in Park Royal, I drew inspiration from the iconic shape of a barrel in the making. I refined the design to its final version through sketching, modelling, and multiple iterations during construction.
To create this sculptural piece I have used a technique known as greenwood. By taking advantage of the natural expansion of wood in humid conditions, I've created tension at the base of the piece without relying on glue or screws, ensuring that my work is fully dismountable. This specificity aligns with the project's eco-friendly ethos, allowing the wood to be repurposed after the temporary installation—a key consideration for both myself and the AHEC.
With the help of Sebastian Cox and his team, I have carefully honed my design through the many steps of this process. This enabled me to continually refine my piece while we worked on milling the dried red oak. Inspired by the historical Guinness brewery, I experimented with natural dyes, emphasizing wood's absorbent properties using substances such as beer, tannin, and ebonizing agents.
Beyond its sculptural appeal, this piece also serves as a functional bench, offering a tranquil retreat amid the bustling square. Its elongated design harmonizes beautifully with the towering structures surrounding it.
I am pleased to have incorporated a circularity of materials in this project, especially considering its intended exhibition period of one month. The sculpture will soon find a new home in the park of a London suburbs hotel.
Key learnings
This project was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and engage with skilled workers.
I put to the test my abilities to rapidly produce high-quality design pitches and communication skills.
What I’d do differently
The only regret I have with this production is the outcome of the dye on the wood; it creates too sharp a contrast. It is not in a high-visibility area, but I would've wished to have more time to experiment and achieve a high-quality finish.