cantoo news updates

Four Dwellings High School

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:50:50 +0000

We've been working with Y7 students from Four Dwellings High and dRMM to develop inputs for their refurbishment scheme. We've been especially focused on creating a set of proposals for wayfinding and also the 'Criss Cross' stairwell area.

So far we've run a total of 4 workshops with two sets of pupils. We surveyed and discussed some of the challenges in the first workshops and then followed up with a more 'hands on' approach in the second workshops. The wayfinding group looked at examples of graphic styles used in other schemes and then began to create a lexicon of their own graphic images. These will be refined and turned into vectorised artwork to be subsequently manufactured by the appointed sign sub contractor. The general emphasis from the students was to create bold stencil style graphics.

The Stairwell group converted initial ideas generated in their first workshop into 3D models in the 2nd workshop. Ideas ranged from large hanging ties to a mobile cockerel ( the school has a flock of hens) and manifestation designs.

Take a look here for more on this scheme

George Dixon Primary school

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:29 +0000

There have been loads of ideas flying around along with lots paper cuttings at George Dixon Primary school this week.

The workshops sessions with the Y2 and Y4 pupils have been focused on developing artwork for super graphic artwork which will be populated around the school. The background thinking behind this is that the school has a very diverse cultural background and we want to reflect by developing bright strong designs that embrace those backgrounds as well as celebrate the exuberance of the children.

We looked at examples of Wycinanki paper cut outs from Poland and used them as a catalyst for our own designs. We also continued to explore tetris like designs with repeating square patterns - this week we used glass mosaic tiles as part of the design process. These designs may be used for a feature paving design in the external welcome space subsequently.

Take a look here for more on this scheme

Tipton Learning Campus

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:45:44 +0000

The Tipton Learning Campus will consist of Alexandra High School and Batman's Hill Unit combined onto one campus site.

The public art brief is to devise an artwork that connects the two schools using ideas developed through engagement sessions with pupils from both sets of schools.

One of the challenges of the final artwork will be how to make a big impact over an extended area. One possible solution is the construction of a zig zag line composed of brick pavers or possibly a metal strip with feature pavers interspersed at intervals which will bisect the site. The feature pavers could be made by the pupils and will include significant words and imagery.

Take a look here for more on this scheme and here for news about all the Sandwell BSF projects.

Oldbury College of Sport

Mon, 5 Dec 2011 17:17:06 +0000

Today was the first session at Oldbury College of Sport (OCOS) working with a great bunch of Y12 A level art students. Our mission - to interpret the brief set by the college of developing a public artwork for the main entrance which incorporates 'tree' features.

After an initial discussion about public art and some of the challenges and constraints of the project; we began with some brainstorm sketches exploring how to make a structure that could be suspended in the space.

Things turned out pretty well so take a look here for more on this scheme and here for news about all the Sandwell BSF projects.

ThinkTank Touch Wall

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:47:10 +0000

Cantoo worked with a group of 30Y3 pupils from St Vincents Primary School to explore ideas around ‘touch’ .

In the first session : the pupils initially played a ‘blind’ touch game passing an object in a bag around the group. The game was used to heighten their awareness of 'touch' as a sensory activity and also to explore emotive words to describe the resulting sensory feedback. Was the object cold, smooth, hard, rough ? etc etc. Additionally pupils used words to describe their emotional response to the exercise – they felt a little scared, they were excited that they knew what it was, it reminded them of…. etc etc.

A word list was written with useful descriptive words which was then used in the next exercise.

After this the pupils talked as a group about textures and the concept of being ‘touch detectives’ was introduced – their mission to go around the school to find interesting textures and make a rubbing using crayons on paper. On return to the classroom rubbings were compared and descriptive words written.

The session ended with a look and feel of items from a samples texture box. These were organised loosely at the end of the session into a ‘liked’ and ‘not liked’ pile.

In the second session : pupils were invited to take part in an exciting ( and messy) plaster casting workshop.

The purpose was to create a series of handprint plaster casts which could be used for some of the panels in the final commission. The pupils each made a hand print in a sand box and then mixed Plaster of Paris which was poured into the sand mould.

And now onto the commission - the next step is to start collecting the actual material samples and commission the fabrication of the stainless steel trays. Installation is programmed to take place in April next year 2012.

Holly Lodge ( Smethwick Campus) completed

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:19:29 +0000

We were out on site on Sunday last week completing the public artwork for Holly Lodge School as part of the Sandwell BSF new build programme.

The artwork consists of 5 drums of varying heights constructed out of stainless steel with integral lighting and arranged in the central courtyard.

Inspiration for the artwork came from historical industrial activities on the site : Chance Brothers Glass & Lighthouse factory was based here - the factory was founded in 1824 in Spon Lane, Smethwick. During the 19th century it became one of the most important glassworks in Britain. It manufactured sheet glass, including the panes for the Crystal Palace of 1851, window glass in different colours and optical glass including the lenses for lighthouses.

A vast hoard of glass cuttle was discovered during foundation excavations in the early stages of the construction programme. This was collected and used to fill 3 of the gabian drums - as a resonant reminder of that industrial activity, another drum presents key words collected by the school whilst the final drum displays laser cut outlines of tools commonly used by factory workers.

The development of the designs for the feature took place last year with students from the Design & Technology Department at Holly Lodge as well as Ruskin House PRU.

Wreake Valley Community College Refurb

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:12:39 +0000

We've been commissioned to assist Wreake Valley Community College ( WVCC) in a phased refurbishment programme of their unusual school.

WVCC is an 11-19 co-educational school in Syston, Leicestershire, England. Despite its ship-like appearance, the building was actually inspired by ziggurats and is now a listed building.

The first phase of the refurb programme will concentrate on refreshing the 6th Form base and a sample classroom. Cantoo will be developing an overall interior scheme for the whole school which will be rolled out in subsequent years as funding becomes available.

An initial survey and development of mood boards will be taking place during November and December of this year with works to start in the Easter 2012 break.

BOA The Science of Beauty (updated)

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:27:44 +0100

2 event days, 4 performances, over 500 people in the audiences, 150 pupils performing - it was a stunning and at times achingly beautiful promenade event. Starting outside the audience were taken through the building and encountered, experienced immersive moments of song, dance, movement and installation art. Staff and partners worked together for four weeks to develop the event using a narrative of key images and phrases developed by ourselves, BOA and Motionhouse.

Aside from the overall artistic direction we also worked in partnership with CAN Media and the BOA Art & Production students to develop the 'Memory Cube' installation - a scaffold structure wrapped in white tarpaulin, filled with objects and animated with dreamlike video and audio sequences. The effect was to create a delicate illuminated installation which asked the viewer to use all their senses to explore and absorb the experience.

BOA The Science of Beauty

Mon, 5 Sep 2011 13:00:11 +0100

We've been commissioned by Birmingham Ormiston Academy to assist in driving the artistic vision for a special launch arts programme and event for the brand new Ormiston Academy.

The academy is due for completion this September and the first cadre of students will start the term with an exciting multi-disciplinary programme of media, performing arts workshops, musical theatre and broadcast workshops which will contribute to the launch event.

Because the academy is literally brand new the students will be working both off site and on site whilst the building is fully commissioned. The events which will take place in the early evening will showcase the new gigantic video screen, the external lighting which we worked on earlier in the year and the facilities internally.

More details about the event which is by invitation only will be featured later in October.

Kettering Buccleuch Academy

Mon, 5 Sep 2011 12:48:56 +0100

We're pleased to announce that we've been commissioned by the United Learning Trust to deliver the public art elements for the Kettering Buccleuch Academy working with Willmott Dixon Construction and Nicholas Hare Architects.

Work has already started on site with the steel frame nearly completed. Our role will be to engage with students to develop ideas for some key areas of the academy including the atrium wall wrapping around the theatre, the main entrance, the primary courtyard, circulation spaces and external spaces.

Shirland Primary completed

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:20:22 +0100

The Shirland Primary new build scheme was completed recently and and the keys handed over to the school.

Our involvement included developing all the interior finishes as well as some specific art features which were embedded into the overall design of the building.

We ran engagement sessions with pupils during the construction programme and these created resources which were used to define the colour scheme, some of the finishes and original drawings of natural forms which were used for super graphics.

Take a look at the Shirland project site here to see much more about the scheme

Oakham Primary completed

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:54:41 +0100

The Oakham scheme has now been completed with the formal hand over taking place today. The penultimate days of the scheme saw us on site installing a mosaic along with Chameleon Co (sign installers) fitting our external leaf artwork to the timber cladding.

As the headteacher said; "its not the end - just the beginning" and we look forward to a continued involvement with the school.

In the meantime boxes are being packed and the school will be moving in next week.

Take a look at the Oakham project site here to see much more about the scheme

Oakham Primary (updated)

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 16:12:16 +0100

The Oakham scheme is really revving up now on the last stretch to completion which is due 22 July.

Most of the floor finishes are now down but its hard to see because they're fully protected. The scheme uses different colourways for the classroom, admin areas and the circulation zones.

The break out areas in the circulation zones were defined with geometric slices of Desso Libra Lines - a linear pattern which was used because it is reminiscent of ploughed fields, something that you see all around in Rutland County.

Pupils from the school worked with us earlier in the year to explore ideas around linear pattern, weaving and striped designs after which the floor specification was developed. An example of their fabulous weaving patterns is shown here together with a carpet sample and the photographic resource reference.

More here

Chesterton Vision Centre

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:32:15 +0100

We've been working with young people on designs for the new Chesterton Vision Centre. Pictured here are designs for the entrance glazing and also a tile sample recently sourced which happens to perfectly match the chosen colour palette. We often create colour schemes by doing some intensive colour sorting workshops with young people as a way to arrive at an informed concensus.

More here

Shirland Primary New Build Mosaics

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:41:32 +0100

We've been designing and making mosaics for an external artwork feature which the school have commissioned for their new build. Two classes of Y6 pupils were selected to make the mosaics - this will be their lasting contribution to the new build school which others will be able to enjoy once they've moved on to their new 'big' schools.

Mosaics are not hard to make but extra care has to be taken when cutting because of the glass. The design is also really important - we took a lot of time to work out the best combinations of contrasting colours so as to ensure that each design stood out.

There will be 8 x 300mm circles each with a unique mosaic and a 700mm circle in the middle of the feature that consists of lots of smaller mosaic artworks. The theme that we worked to was mini beast close ups.

More here

Rowley Manifestations

Thu, 12 May 2011 14:38:11 +0100

There's an exciting week ahead on the Rowley Campus site - a manifestation design for the Dining Hall is being readied for installation in the final weeks of the build programme.

Pupils worked on ideas for the manifestation in the DT Department many months ago. One of them, a design by Alice and Shelby, shown here formed the basis for the final design. The glazing screen measures over 15 metres wide by 10 metres high so it should be fairly visible ( !) especially at night when its backlit.

More here

Thinktank Feely Wall Commission

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:32:19 +0100

Get those fingers walking!

Thinktank are developing a science garden that will sit outside the main Thinktank building and be incorporated into the development of the Eastside City Park by Birmingham City Council.

Outside Studios have been commissioned by Thinktank to develop and deliver the exhibit concepts and designs for this project and as part of the development of the garden we've been commissioned to develop a feely wall for installation in the under 7s area.

The wall will be part of a sensory area, which will explore light and sound, feeling and movement.

Boing boing! Redditch Spring Public Art project

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:04:21 +0100

We were asked recently to provide design advisory services to Redditch Borough Council for a public art project they're working on which is making reference to the spring manufacturing industry.

Perhaps not many people know this but spring making in Redditch was the third major industry in the 19th century after needles and fishing tackle and its manufacturing processes use many of the same wire manipulation processes.

There were, and still are, a number of manufacturers of springs in Redditch but the largest, and most famous, was Herbert Terry and Sons Limited. Part of the factory still exists (right – Millsborough House) and this houses a number of different companies. However, much of the area has now been redeveloped and is partly covered by the Trafford Park shopping complex. At its peak Herbert Terry was employing over 1000 workers. Probably the most famous product manufactured by Herbert Terry was the Anglepoise lamp which revolutionised lamp design. The company also produced the famous ‘Terry’s Clips’ for tools and pens . The Anglepoise lamp still continues to be produced today, as do Terry’s clips in many forms – but not in Redditch.

Springs continue to be manufactured in the town and there are nine Redditch based spring manufacturers listed by the Spring Manufacturers Association.

(Extract from Anthony Green 2010)

Broadway Scheme (updated)

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:13:54 +0000

The Broadway Scheme building programme has now been completed and the new accommodation occupied by students and staff.

The school held an Open Day on the 2nd March which gave us a chance to re-visit and take some completion images.

The light and airy Knowledge Exchange - the main atrium space - features designs we developed including wonderful CNC routered designs on the internal timber cladding set against a striated acoustic panel design and complemented by the bold wayfinding graphics provided by BCMH. We also used designs from pupils to produce the glazing manifestations and our Wave seat was commissioned for specific areas of the building.

In parallel our sister company CAN UK Media is finishing off a DVD with Kaos Arts that has documented the building programme and aspects of the vision for the scheme. This is due to be released this week and some of the episodes will be featured later on our site.

Look here for more

The International School

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:17:19 +0000

Cantoo has been commissioned by the Learning Spaces Living Places (LSLP) programme to contribute to the Birmingham BSF schemes.

The International scheme consists of a large 1000 plus pupil secondary school located in Tile Cross, Birmingham near to Birmingham Airport. Our scope for the scheme includes working with pupils to develop the wayfinding scheme for the interior.

We've begun with engagement workshops with Y7 and Y8 pupils from the school but have also included Y4 and Y5 from the feeder primary schools as they are prospective new International pupils in a few years time.

Our workshops are exploring themes of flight relating to the proximity of the airport. The intention is to develop a wayfinding strategy which uses resources developed from the workshops to incorporate concepts for signage, wall colours and zone marking.

Architect : FAT Architects
Constructor : Lend Lease
Client : Birmingham LEP

Look here for more