Inside Heather Studio kicks of its Asian tour at Singapore Design Week. This is one show you absolutely must catch.
Manchester B For The Bang sculpture represents the starter’s gun in sprinting. It was a monument for the Commonwealth Games 2002, but has now been dismantled.
You know Heatherwick Studio for a lot of things: The Olympic Cauldron for London 2012, the award-winning UK Pavilion at Expo 2010, the new London bus (400 on the streets already, 400 more on the way), Spun chairs, Pacific Place in Hong Kong, Teesside Power Station, and closer to home, the new Learning Hub at Nanyang Technological Institute. What you don’t know is the thought process, story, concept and creation behind all of its works, and you’ll now get a chance to find out at this Singapore Design Week showcase.
A model of the Olympic Cauldron, the lighting of which Heatherwick says was the greatest moment of his life.
Here’s what I did find out about the design of the London Bus, as revealed by Thomas Heatherwick himself when he led the tour: “The brief also said that the driver must not be able to be attacked by a samurai sword.” It’s this kind of gem, and many other revelations and unique insights that make this such an exceptional showcase. You’ll see what goes into the experiments that results in its thrilling and intelligent projects.
A model of the Learning Hub, which officially opened on the same day as the SDW exhibition.
Extrusions is a bench made from aluminium. It’s warped and imperfect, which is part of its visceral appeal.
The table was created when the studio was asked to design carpets. There’s a story behind it, of course, but you’ll have to find out at the show.
The 160-strong team in the studio loves to experiment and explore, and each project is rigorously examined before it is realised. So it’s interesting to see upcoming projects as well, like the Garden Bridge, a proposed new crossing across the River Thames. Contextual photographs, prototypes, material fragments and models are all on display – you will see a rich and expansive portfolio spanning 21 years. Thrilling. Not to be missed.
Inside Heatherwick Studio at Singapore Design Week, at the National Design Centre – on now till Mar 22.
