Encounter

NAME : Encounter  DATE : 2003  CLIENT : Birchwood Forum  LOCATION : Birchwood  PARTNERS : Gifford Engineering (now Ramboll)

Aim

Encounter is a sculptural beacon sited at junction 11 on the M62 for travellers entering Birchwood and Warrington East. 

Concept

The 30m sculpture takes its reference from the slender Birch tree, with its distinctive peeling bark, commonly seen throughout Birchwood. Reference is also made visually to the swarf formed on an engineers lathe, recognising the rich engineering history of Warrington.

Process

Encounter came to fruition through the support and partnership between Birchwood Forum, Birchwood Town Council, Warrington Borough Council and Birchwood Community High School. The sculpture was also constructed in collaboration with 3. Telecommunications and successfully houses mobile phone antennae. The sculpture was unveiled by Steve Broomhead, NWDA in November 2003.

Making