A cloud will hang over new town centre
This is the centrepiece of Workington’s £45 million town centre.
The futuristic cloud design was one of four candidates up for selection in a consultation exercise.
Installation of the Cloud is due to be finished by October 2006, in time for completion of the new-look town centre.
It will feature two bright white translucent canopies that will float above the central shopping area. They will glow brightly during the day and will be lit from within to glow more brightly than the sky when light levels are low or at night.
A series of sculptured seats will reflect the canopies’ design and a sound system will be hidden within the canopies to create a “three dimensional ambient soundscape,” says London-based designers McDowell and Benedetti.
The consultation took place over several months. Four possible designs were shown at Workington library and printed in the Times & Star for people to have their say.
Most people, according to Allerdale council, preferred the Cloud to the other three.
The final decision was made by a five-member selection panel, headed by council leader Jim Musgrave.
It is not known how much the Cloud is costing but it is being paid for out of a £2.74 million grant from the Northwest Development Agency, which is also funding other artwork in the town centre, which includes a 15ft stainless steel clock.
www.timesandstar.co.uk
Published on 09/12/2005