Client: Mayor Of London

Overview

The London Dresser was commissioned by the Mayor of London for the London Olympics in 2012 and was created in collaboration with students from the University Of Westminster. Media: Steel and sustainably sourced timber structure. Stained timber furniture. Dimensions: 36’ x 10’ x 10’.

Goals

The artwork was intended to temporarily transform an under-used under-loved public space. The large scale cabinet displayed small scale buildings, London’s architectural crown jewels recreated as beautifully crafted scale-model seats. By day the cabinet opens and the seats are arranged to create an informal social gathering space. By night the buildings were placed inside to create an interactive showcase and backdrop to the street. Each building was momentarily illuminated as people passed by and peer in.

Process

The process was intended as a temporary public artwork and an educational project for architecture students at the University of Westminster. The artwork was created in close collaboration with students from concept to completion, including the fabrication, installation and operation of the project on site. The process was delivered through careful collaboration with specialist artwork fabricators, Milllimetre.

Additional Information

The structure and seats were fabricated using sustainable timber products and built with longevity in mind. The seats were later installed as play structures in a local East London state school while the structure was later incorporated in a Maggies Cancer Centre.