The prospect of legacy sculpture for communities lies squarely in the minds of architects and designers. Yet too often the opportunity is unnecessarily lost.
The main reason larger scale sculpture is not more commonly specified in architectural projects is that the concept to installation process is misunderstood.
Too often, architects and building designers cite expense, lack of budget and time, project management complications, and unwanted extra detail as objections.
Yet an early understanding of the value sculpture, especially large scale public art, can bring to a building project, could often help architects enhance their reputation for providing creative and profitable solutions.
Build the cost into the design
Smart architects know how to get their clients to buy into the idea and meet budget expectations by building the cost into the overall design as a fixed priced item.
Sculptors should be able to demonstrate to architects that there is an efficient process to manage all the inconsistencies traditionally associated with an artist. That said, while artists bring creativity and variety, they rarely have reliable project management skills. Swayed by those concerns, the architect may decline the sculpture proposal before the client even gets to see it.
What this means for projects
Architects work with time constraints to create persuasive proposals that show the constructed form and specified details to successfully capture the flavour of a development.
This can influence how they approach risk when specifying unknown or unfamiliar ideas and processes that could potentially blow out tight budgets, delivery time frames and / or quality expectations, harming their reputation and prospects.
Failure to grasp integrated sculpture, manufacturing, and installation processes that can actually save money and enhance the value of the project means opportunities are consequently lost.
Short brief, stretched boundaries
The greatest loss for architects is forcing themselves to conform to a curtailed brief without fully stretching their design boundaries.
When considering sculpture as part of the bigger design picture architects also worry about it failing to fulfil expectations, missing deadlines, potential damage and rectifications, all leading to harm to their professional standing.
Architects often understandably hold the view that sculptors are sole, creative operators who lack expertise in all components of large-scale projects.
As project managers, we have a proven 10-step process that identifies and manages all potential risks at every stage before moving onto the next. The process saves significant time and unexpected expense.
In our experience, when the architect and client understand their project is in capable hands, they actually enjoy the stages of the journey, rather than succumbing to anxiety.
Traditional method — creative hibernation
Traditionally, sculptors go into creative hibernation for weeks or even months. Working in silent isolation, they attempt to arrive at a solution that the architect and client might — or might not — warm to. At this stage, both designer and client often feel denied any input, let alone control.
Alternative method — our ten-step process
Our ten step collaborative process, proven over more than 20 years, is built on scheduled progress communications. This keeps all parties continually informed, updated, and therefore equipped to contribute to the project where needed.
Finding the right people
Architects and designers (and through them, clients) want to differentiate themselves and their projects. Too often, an architect or designer creates project-defining concepts that ought to make the development shine. But they struggle to convert the dream to reality because of the difficulties in finding and coordinating the right people and facilities. At best, frustration sets in. At worst, the project is compromised, or even shelved.
Architects and designers are conceptual and creative. Asking them to search out and coordinate a complex blend of manufacturing facilities, each in turn demanding specialist skills, is almost contrary to their purpose. They only rarely achieve the design intent of their fertile imaginations when asked to manage multiple components of a major project.
An all-rounder on your side
I liken my role to the all-rounder in a cricket team. You don’t expect your frontline pace bowler to open the batting, or don the wicket-keepers gloves. Nor would you ask your star batsman to open the bowling, or your youngest player to captain the side.
As an industrial designer, project manager, and sculptor myself, I bring to the table a knowledge of all the components of large-scale sculpture projects. On top, I have decades of practical experience in bringing them all together.
Sculpture is highly bespoke. After the initial design, it requires many production facilities, skilled artisans, and specialised materials. The benefit I offer is the broad understanding of both design and manufacturing techniques, and my database of internationally pre-qualified production facilities and specialists.
Design and manufacture in opposing camps
The frustration for architects and designers is that so few specialists can alert them to the breadth of options available so they can push their design boundaries to the limit. It’s as if design and manufacture occupy two opposing camps.
I offer advice and consultation based on 23 years of industry experience. I’m unconstrained by factory ownership and specific in-house processes in the local market.
Problem-solving approach
Instead I’ve scoured the world and pre-qualified the best of the best production facilities and partners. I recommend and work only with partners who take a problem-solving approach to what the designer wants, rather than the production model they can supply.
Progress is swift when I collaborate with architects and designers. They feel understood, and confident that together we can span the gulf between idea and delivery.
Are you an architect or designer? Do you see sculpture as an integral component of your projects? Call Todd Stuart on +61 4 5151 8865, or visit mainartery.art to talk through how together we can transform your design vision into practical value.
