Northern Rock PLC: Prismatics
The dramatic growth of Northern Rock has led to the expansion of their head offices in Gosforth designed by architects Red Box.
A commitment to engage with a range of artists was taken early in the design process and five artists were selected from an invited design competition to produce contemporary works for the new office environment.
Laura Johnston has established a national profile for her hanging glass sculptures, which use the technology of Dichroic glass to create complex structures that reflect and refract light, and appear to change as people move past the work.
'Prismatics' is a direct response to the new courtyard space at Northern Rock. The form cuts dramatically through the central area of the atrium in a number of ways; walking across the bridge, the sculpture appears to ascend like a stairway, from below it appears like a crystalline structure.
Colour and form constantly change as you move around the atrium. Although each panel is in fact blue, a full spectrum of colours is created, so that when the sun shines, the space is transformed by a dramatic projection of light and colour.
Slideshow
Image courtesy of Sally Ann Norman
Artist(s)
Laura Johnson.
Client
Northern Rock Plc
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Professional Team
Michael Hadi Associates
Completion Date
2003
