OPEN STUDIO ARCHITECTS WITH UNITED VISUAL ARTISTS
Innovation Square: The city space that tells the story of Birmingham
Birmingham was built on technological innovation. Our proposal for Centenary Square integrates key events in the history of the city into a layered contemporary landscape, which accommodates future innovation and change.
People will initiate and transform events in the space, encouraging interaction. The square has been designed as a base to which artists can contribute temporary or permanent installations, including performances.
INTERACT WITH THE PAST:
The rich history of the site offers a series of landscape elements, which guide the contemporary design of the square.
The selected elements are:
- Springs - which enabled the settlement of the area;
- Forest - The Forest of Arden;
- Garden - Easy Hill, Baskerville's house and garden on the site;
- Canals - the network distributing Birmingham goods;
- Wharf - Baskerville Wharf, which was located on the site;
- Steam - the industrial innovations of Boulton and Watt.
These historical moments are used to form an integral layered landscape, which celebrates the past, and forms the foundations for a vibrant future.
CONNECT TO THE FUTURE:
A dynamic digital light artwork, designed by United Visual Artists, uses contemporary technology to engage visitors.
The landscape therefore both supplements and enhances the cultural institutions located on the square, in order to foster a true civic space, which will form the cultural heart of the city.
It refers to the past as a way to invigorate the future of the city and in order to enable it's citizens and visitors to contribute to an evolving public space.
