Superblue's shortlisted entry for the Structures on the Edge
competition is the picnicking stones, a new structure at Wolla Edge on
the Lincolnshire coastline.Picnicking is a past time for many of us. Whether it is a grand or
humble the English love picnics. A fine moment in life is when al-fresco food is eaten hidden away from the rush of daily life. People
love nothing more than eating outside on tartan rugs. First there is the
food and friends and second there is the search for the perfect picnic
spot. Picnicking is a pleasure excursion about people and landscape
coming together.
Wolla bank is a perfect spot for a picnic. It is a beautiful
location with an exciting landscape from the sand bank to the sand
ripples which already provide alternative seating and shelter. The aim
of Superblue’s concept is to enhance this and add a sense of play,
discovery and change to the space that works with nature and people. We
seek to create the perfect picnic spot and to understand the ritual of
picnicking.
The Superblue Picnic Stones, a three dimensional picnic blanket landscape embedded in the sands, is
about people and landscape coming together in a number of ways. The
three dimensional landscape creates a space for interaction, play and
discovery – with nature, the landscape and the people that you have come
to experience the space with.Over time the 3d picnic blanket landscape will change – wildlife and planting
will inhabited it and change it. The sand will blow in, around and
across it and the ocean will wash the space clean again, forever
changing the space. The 3d picnic blanket landscape also provides seating – sit
on different the 3d tartan checks or sit beside the landscape which
provides and shelter from the wind at this beautiful yet remote setting.
The materials are inspired by the nature resources in the area – the
clay pits. They are made of a ceramic air bricks. These are highly
robust elements which can resist the extreme elements of the location
which will wear naturally into the beach environment. The extruded
bricks will provide visual and tactile surfaces for the ‘Picnic Stones’.
The 3D Picnic blanket landscape is iconic and playful and yet at the same
time it works with the location and it rugged environment that is pure
nature. Over time it which change and soften as natural takes over and
adds to this unique landscape. Will it create a alternative rock pool /
habitat for the creatures of Wolla bank? or will plants grow and add to
the landscape? The sand around the structure will change as nature and
people interact – changing the picnic blanket landscape.
View Original