Ed Butler and Daniel Wiltshire, both architects, formed the studio where the exploration of geometric form is the basis of their design processes. This time, made of terracotta and repurposed wood, a series of modular pieces span the center of the City of London, providing much-needed spaces for rest and greenery.
From the archetypal shield motif, a subtly altered geometry of tessellated tiles was developed. They were extruded to create containers of six different heights, with the same basic shape used to create seating and planters. These modules allow for adaptation to different access and individual ergonomic needs, also allowing for reconfiguration capable of responding to any site.
The asymmetry of the pattern and the variation in the height of the modules produce a varied and organic language that avoids the appearance of clear repetition. In contradiction to the glass and steel of the city’s great towers, the materials used are natural, tactile and handmade by Darwen Terracotta, specialists in architectural ceramics.
