Creative Units at Aberystwyth Arts Centre by Thomas Heatherwick
British designer Thomas Heatherwick has completed eight low-cost units for arts businesses at Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales.
The units, which open today, are clad in crinkled stainless steel sheets that are as thin as baking foil.
Insulation foam is sprayed on the back of the steel to give it rigidity.
Photos are by James Morris.
Here's some info from Heatherwick followed by a press release from Aberystwyth Arts Centre:
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Heatherwick Studio won a competition to design low-cost facilities for sixteen start-up arts enterprises for Aberystwyth Arts Centre, part of the University of Wales Aberystwyth.
Reluctant to dilute the wooded character of the site by superimposing a single campus-style block, the studio chose instead to set eight smaller buildings among the trees. These consist of simple timber frame sheds, split down their centre and pulled apart to provide light and ventilation and a shared entrance area.The studio developed a special cladding system for the buildings. As stainless steel is everlasting but expensive, the studio sourced steel the thickness of cooking foil. This makes it affordable, but it crinkles easily, providing neither structural rigidity nor insulation. These problems are overcome by crinkling it in a controlled manner before spraying a CFC-free insulation foam on the back of the crinkled surface.
The paneling is affordable, rigid and well insulated; it accommodates details like eaves and windowsills and has a non- uniformity, reflecting the forest’s leaves and pieces of sky in its facets.
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New Creative Landmark for Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth Arts Centre is today celebrating the launch of an extraordinary architectural commission that will provide much needed studio and workshop space for arts organisations in Wales.
The eight new Creative Units, designed and built by Heatherwick Studio ‐ one of the UK’s most creative design practices – have already established themselves as new landmarks for Aberystwyth and go to further enhance the Art Centre’s reputation as one of the leading venues for contemporary arts and culture in the UK.
The design is both striking and considerate to its setting. The simple timber‐frame buildings are clad with a bespoke crinkled stainless steel system that creates a shimmering futuristic appearance, reflecting the greenery of their site. Unusually, their construction as well as their design was led by Heatherwick Studio whose specialist team worked on site with local sub‐contractors to deliver the project. The special cladding system was fabricated on site using a contraption akin to a Victorian mangle that deformed the steel into its irregular form. The studios sit within woodland, and over time will blend further into the maturing landscape around them.
All sixteen studio spaces have been let, with tenants including internationally‐renowned painter Mary Lloyd Jones and Creu Cymru ‐ the National Development Agency for Theatres and Arts Centres in Wales.
Today’s opening, by Alun Ffred Jones AM, Heritage Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government, marks a new chapter in the development of the Centre as an arts community in which ideas can thrive. The new buildings will enable the Centre to increase its economic impact in Wales and beyond, and enhance its role as one of the country’s leading centres for the development of creative businesses, products and activity.
The studios are the latest in a growing list of architectural commissions by Heatherwick Studio that includes the award‐winning East Beach Café in Littlehampton. Today’s opening takes place one year before the opening of a pavilion by Heatherwick Studio to showcase the UK at the Shanghai 2010 Expo.
Alan Hewson, Director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre said: “We are delighted with the studios and Heatherwick’s design. The concept really has captured the imagination of arts organisations and artists in the area – we have formed a creative community here which will work closely with, and will add to the strength of, the growing creative cluster in Aberystwyth.”
Alun Ffred Jones AM said:
“There
is
a
vibrant
contemporary
arts
scene
in
Wales
and
we
need
to
ensure
that
as
many
as
possible
can
enjoy
it,
wherever
they
live,
whatever
their
background.
Culture,
in
all
its
forms,
is
life
enhancing.
Where
there
are
creative
hubs
such
as
Aberystwyth
Arts
Centre,
there
are
vibrant
communities
where
people
want
to
live
and
work.
It’s
as
important
as
setting
up
business
parks.”
Thomas
Heatherwick
said:
“Aberystwyth
Arts
Centre
is
an
ambitious
and
special
place.
Our
project
was
about
designing
buildings
that
would
provide
functional
light‐filled
spaces
for
local
artists
and
creative
businesses,
but
that
would
be
special
and
particular
to
this
site
and
the
Arts
Centre.
We
have
been
acting
like
architectural
tailors
–
building
simple
forms
with
an
extraordinary
skin.
The
skin
will
reflect
the
surroundings
and
as
the
young
trees
and
grass
begin
to
mature,
the
units
will
feel
further
embedded
into
their
environment
and
Aberystwyth.
“It’s fantastic to hear that the buildings are already all full and being used and loved. We are now looking forward to working with the centre on plans to extend the studios and build a larger temporary building nearby, next year.”
Mary Lloyd Jones, an artist in residence at Aberystwyth Arts Centre said:
“One of the reasons for applying for residency was because of the light in the studio – it’s so beautiful. I am very impressed with the layout and design of these units – the space is so interesting and it’s a real treat to be here. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is a wonderful centre – it’s constantly busy and the work that is generated here is quite special. I am excited about future developments and prospects - especially with these new studios.”
This development has been made possible with support from the Arts Council for Wales Lottery Fund, the Welsh Assembly Government and Aberystwyth University.