Client: Environmental Services, Borough of Poole

Overview

Funded by the Coastal Communities Fund this trio of Portland stone shell sculptures are the focal point of a new Seaside Garden at Flaghead Chine. They were commissioned by Barbara Uphoff Landscape Designer for the Borough of Poole. The garden is designed to connect the spectacular views through the wooded chine onto the beach and beyond to the Purbeck Hills.

Goals

The Seaside Garden offers younger visitors the opportunity for sensory & quiet play, and creates an inspirational meeting point for friends and family. The shells are a popular feature within the project.

Process

After discussion with Barbara, Phil settled on an Ammonite, Whelk and Sea Urchin for the commission and proceeded to make the maquettes and detailed design drawings. We worked on the placement of the shells within the scheme with Barbara and Reuben Hawkward - the Project manager, by using a scale model of the garden that Barbara had made. Due to other work commitments, Phil arranged for Poole's Environmental Services to contract Albion Stone on Portland to carve the full sized shells - with Phil having a couple of site visits to check progress, he also worked at the Albion premises for a week to finish the forms, and carve the spiral on the ammonite and the star detail on the urchin.

Additional Information

We have recently discovered that the shells have become a place for people to come and sit and reflect in these difficult times. Hopefully remembering good times too. Poet Gail Aldwin was engaged to write a haiku for the project - https://gailaldwin.com/tag/publishing-news/ More information about the Sea Garden can be viewed here -https://seafront.pooleprojects.net/flaghead-chine/