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How can the collective nature of urban parks be manifested through the relationship between the body and the landscape? Jewellery offers a beguiling opportunity to explore this relationship, considering its socio-cultural, material and tactile qualities. This project investigates the application of these qualities to Hackney Downs, utilising a series of pavilions that enhance the park and foster moments of encounter and interaction. By using ground and body casts of the site, the project explores the projective relationship between the body and the landscape. Additionally, the project explores the collective production of architectural elements, such as wall panels, through the use of cast aluminium panel prototypes.
Pavilions are part of a series designed to celebrate core activities that foster human connection: meeting, waiting, walking and eating. A 3D plan of the site has been cast in pewter and serves as the foundation for the proposed pavilions.
As an initial concept, a curved seating structure made of rammed earth with aluminium panels cast with body forms is proposed. It meanders around a bench and a tree.
The technique of sand casting lifecasts into aluminium is explored to create a permanent and tactile record of skin texture. These casts are transformed into jewelry items when they connect the knee and thigh of two specific users.
A user's sitting position is cast into the ground, creating a site-specific panel that combines body and landscape textures, embellishing the site's aesthetic.
The aluminium panels create accessible spaces that allow entry and provide perspectives to experience the dynamic relationship between the human body and the surrounding landscape in the urban park.