A13 Artscape

Rep-tiles

Arterial sought to generate 'moments' in the green landscape, coherence and understanding of the unifying nature of the junctions with the adjacent communities.

This is translated, amongst other aspects, in rep-tiles, Tom de Paor's earth-work landscapes.

Based on the concept of 'replica tiles', the pattern of the earth-works is entirely consistent and placed to create variation and interest while repeating themselves at 2 locations - x joules and y joules.

The 'joules' is indeed a reference to the energy needed, which Tom had proposed to calculate, in creating this new landscape.

Rep-tiles - X, Y and Z Joules concept|

The reptiles are a recursive tile pattern or fractal geometry which is extruded into 3 dimensions at 30, 45 and 60 degrees at each successive site to form a series of interlocking earthworks.

Work done is a function of the mass moved, the distance it is moved and the resultant angle of its displacement - it is measured in joules.

These reoccur at 3 different scales and configurations across the spine of the A13.

At Mover's Lane Junction - X-Joules, the configuration is one of a long plaiting or municipal ploughing of the ground surface parallel to the avenue of trees.

The movers are caught in a parallelogram of park railings ('about park'), the 7 reptiles present a rhythmic series of 3.4m high grass faces to the passing vehicles while creating a row of protected south facing hills and valleys to the garden side.

They are closely manicured in contrast to the managed grasslands in which they sit.

A wrapped utility building completes the composition.

All pedestrian and cyclist circulation through the park is via green, white and gold tarmac. All overhead lighting is bespoke 'idest' galvanized rolled units.

At Lodge Avenue - the Y-Joules, they re-emerge as a grassy knoll on a pre-cast concrete plate.

The grouping of 5 creates a 1.7 m high broken maze. All overhead lighting is bespoke 'idest' galvanized rolled units.

At Castle Green a single 6.8m high reptile sits at the edge to the park against an inverted reptile excavation of the same depth - a mote which provides access to an underpass beneath the motorway.

All pedestrian and cyclist circulation through the park is via green, white and gold tarmac. All overhead lighting is bespoke 'idest' galvanized rolled units.