ArtsUnion Street Architecture Competition
Recent Update
The bench fabrication is complete. One bench is being installed in Union Square, and the remaining benches await installation. Below are a couple pictures of the benches eagerly awaiting installation.
Special thanks to Matt Pace, Scott Kelley, and Dmitry Baskin for their valuable assistance with assembly and transportation.
Competition Brief
In July 2005, the City of Somerville sought proposals from artists, designers and fabricators to construct creative and artistic street architecture (benches, trash barrels, kiosks) for Union Square in Somerville, Massachusetts through its ArtsUnion initiative. ArtsUnion is an arts initiative designed to boost the cultural and economic development of Union Square. The work produced from this call will distinguish Somerville for its artistic bent and its inclusion of art in everyday life.
Competition administered by the Somerville Arts Council.
Design Concept
The Union Square neighborhood is rich with history, cultural diversity, and imagery. A successful design has visual interest, intrinsic art and craft, and acknowledgement of the history and bright future of Union Square. This winning design proposal includes two each of two different types of bench and one information kiosk. Graphic design and fabrication for each element is being performed by Somerville artists and craftsmen. Materials have been sourced with an eye toward environmental sustainability and procurement within Somerville or as close by as feasible. For example, wooden posts are being reclaimed from a local building site by a Cambridge company for this project.
Collaborating Artists and Craftsmen
Initial concepts and design sketches are well underway. Check out the current progress of the Artist's Concepts.
Wes Boyd: karmalogic.com
Julie Chen: juliechen.net
Richard Cohen: Richard Cohen Cabinetmaker, Fine Custom Furniture
Jef Czekaj: czekaj.com
H.M. Townsend: somervilleopenstudios.org
Suppliers
Spider Fittings: Custom Hardware Manufacturing, Inc. (CHMI)
Glass: Dependable Glass Works, Inc.
Structural Interlayer: DuPont SentryGlas Plus
Wood Posts: Longleaf Lumber
Steel: Pending
Fasteners: Pending
Fabrication
Wood Posts: Richard Cohen Woodworking
Working Drawings
Straight Bench
Angled Bench
Information Kiosk
Site Plan
